tentative
/ˈtɛntətɪv/ noun, adjective
Forms tentatives
- noun A trial; an experiment; an attempt.
- noun (Malaysia) A schedule for an event or a programme.
- adjective Of or pertaining to a trial or trials; essaying; experimental.
- adjective Uncertain; subject to future change. “He gave a tentative answer, unsure of the final outcome.”
- adjective Restrained; polite; feeling one's way, not using full force. “Her tentative steps showed her nervousness as she entered the room.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Medieval Latin tentātīvus (“trying, testing”), from tentō, past participle tentātus (“to try, test”); see tent, tempt.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Of or pertaining to a trial or trials; essaying; experimental.
- noun An essay; a trial; an experiment. Berkley.
Etymology [L. tentare to try: cf. F. tentatif. See Tempt.]
Etymology [Cf. F. tentative.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “tentative”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details