Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

tentative

/ˈtɛntətɪv/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.45 in modern English

Syllables: ten-ta-tive
IPA: /ˈtɛntətɪv/

12

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A trial; an experiment; an attempt.

noun

A schedule for an event or a programme.

adj

Of or pertaining to a trial or trials; essaying; experimental.

adj

Uncertain; subject to future change.

adj

Restrained; polite; feeling one's way, not using full force.

Example Sentences

"He gave a tentative answer, unsure of the final outcome."
"We have a tentative plan for the weekend, but nothing is confirmed yet."
"Meanwhile, a bunch of hungry directors with digital cameras, time on their hands and not much money are making free-form studies about tentative hookups and long conversations among actual, overeducated, undermotivated young folks."
"Hegseth's reference to the report being "low confidence" suggest it is tentative and its findings may change as more detail emerges."
"Her tentative steps showed her nervousness as she entered the room."

Etymology

From Medieval Latin tentātīvus (“trying, testing”), from tentō, past participle tentātus (“to try, test”); see tent, tempt.

Word Breakdown

Root: tentātīvus

Inflected Forms

tentatives (plural) more tentative (comparative) most tentative (superlative)

Derived Forms

pretentative tentatively tentativeness

Phrases

tentative wound

Synonyms

probationary provisional provisionary doubtful

Antonyms

conclusive definitive certain

Rhymes With

representative preventative argumentative unrepresentative

Questions

How do you pronounce tentative?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈtɛntətɪv/.
What does tentative mean?: A trial; an experiment; an attempt.
Where does tentative come from?: From Medieval Latin tentātīvus (“trying, testing”), from tentō, past participle tentātus (“to try, test”); see tent, tempt.

How to pronounce tentative

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