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speculate

[/ˈspɛkjəleɪt/]
verb
especular
1. to form a theory or conjecture about something without firm evidence
The media speculated about the reasons for his resignation.
A mídia especulou sobre os motivos de sua renúncia.
2. to engage in the buying and selling of stocks, commodities, or currencies in hopes of making a profit from price fluctuations
He decided to speculate in the stock market.
Ele decidiu especular no mercado de ações.
3. to think or meditate about something
She speculated on the nature of human existence.
Ela especulou sobre a natureza da existência humana.
Synonyms
conjecturetheorizehypothesizeguesssurmisewonder
Antonyms
knowproveverifyconfirm

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
especular
standard usage for both meanings
Rio de Janeiro
especular
no significant regional variation
São Paulo
especular
no significant regional variation
Portugal
especular
standard usage, though 'conjecturar' also used for theoretical speculation

Related Idioms & Phrases

speculate on/about something
wild speculation
rampant speculation
speculate in the market
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