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tentative

ten·ta·tive
T t

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [ten-tuh-tiv]
    • /ˈtɛn tə tɪv/
    • /ˈten.tə.tɪv/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [ten-tuh-tiv]
    • /ˈtɛn tə tɪv/

Definitions of tentative word

  • adjective tentative of the nature of or made or done as a trial, experiment, or attempt; experimental: a tentative report on her findings. 1
  • adjective tentative unsure; uncertain; not definite or positive; hesitant: a tentative smile on his face. 1
  • adjective tentative not committed 1
  • adjective tentative thought, idea, person 1
  • adjective tentative Tentative agreements, plans, or arrangements are not definite or certain, but have been made as a first step. 0
  • adjective tentative If someone is tentative, they are cautious and not very confident because they are uncertain or afraid. 0

Information block about the term

Origin of tentative

First appearance:

before 1580
One of the 35% oldest English words
1580-90; < Medieval Latin tentātīvus, equivalent to Latin tentāt(us) (past participle of tentāre, variant of temptāre to test; see tempt) + -īvus -ive

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Tentative

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

tentative popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 93% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

tentative usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for tentative

adj tentative

  • all ears — If someone says that they are all ears, they mean that they are ready and eager to listen.
  • astraddle — with a leg on either side of something
  • betwixt and between — in an intermediate, indecisive, or middle position
  • cautious — Someone who is cautious acts very carefully in order to avoid possible danger.
  • codicillary — of, relating to, or of the nature of a codicil.

adjective tentative

  • claudicant — (medicine) limping.
  • experiential — Involving or based on experience and observation.
  • experimental — (of a new invention or product) based on untested ideas or techniques and not yet established or finalized.
  • exploratory — Relating to or involving exploration or investigation.
  • faltering — to hesitate or waver in action, purpose, intent, etc.; give way: Her courage did not falter at the prospect of hardship.

Antonyms for tentative

adj tentative

  • all out — not at one's home or place of employment; absent: I stopped by to visit you last night, but you were out.
  • busher — a low plant with many branches that arise from or near the ground.
  • categorical — If you are categorical about something, you state your views very definitely and firmly.
  • cocky — Someone who is cocky is so confident and sure of their abilities that they annoy other people.
  • hotshot — highly successful and aggressive: a hotshot lawyer; a hotshot account exec.

adjective tentative

  • definitive — Something that is definitive provides a firm conclusion that cannot be questioned.
  • hotdogger — One who hotdogs; a sporting show-off.

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See also

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