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Definition of tentative

tentative

/ˈtɛn.tə.tɪv/
ten · ta · tive
Adverb:tentatively
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tentative Lexical Profile

tentative Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Not certain or fixed; provisional and subject to further confirmation or change.

Example

"The committee reached a tentative agreement on the budget, pending final approval from the board."

2

Done without confidence; hesitant and cautious.

Example

"The toddler took a few tentative steps across the living room floor before reaching for her father's hand."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for tentative

• Nearby Words

tentacle
tentacled
tentacled snake
tentative
tentatively
tentativeness
tenth

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 16th century from Medieval Latin tentativus ('trying, testing'), from Latin tentare (a variant of temptare), meaning 'to handle, touch, try, or test'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tentative. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tentative
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