tentative

/ˈtɛn.tə.tɪv/

Say it: TEN-tuh-tiv

1. adjective Not certain or fixed; subject to change.
We have a tentative plan to go hiking on Saturday, but it depends on the weather.
2. adjective Done without confidence; hesitant or uncertain.
The shy child took a few tentative steps toward the friendly dog.

📖 Seen in the wild

The committee made a tentative decision to approve the budget, pending further review.
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✏️ tentative in a sentence

The two companies have reached a tentative agreement, which must now be approved by their boards.
Her first attempts at speaking the new language were tentative and quiet.
The scientist presented her tentative conclusions, emphasizing that more data was needed.
Let's set a tentative date for the meeting and confirm our availability next week.
He gave a tentative knock on the door, unsure if anyone was home.
The current schedule is only tentative and will likely change.
After the injury, the player's first few movements on the field were slow and tentative.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

provisional unconfirmed hesitant speculative preliminary conditional cautious uncertain

provisional · suggests something is arranged for the present, possibly to be replaced later.

unconfirmed · highlights that details are not yet definite or officially approved.

hesitant · describes the manner of an action, emphasizing a lack of confidence.

speculative · implies something is based on conjecture rather than firm evidence.

Opposites: definite, final, confirmed, certain, confident

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'tentative' comes from the Latin verb 'tentare,' which means 'to feel, try, or test.' This origin perfectly captures the modern meaning, as a tentative plan or action is like 'testing the waters' before committing fully.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

tentative plantentative agreementtentative scheduletentative stepstentative conclusiona tentative smile

Be mindful of the two distinct senses of 'tentative'. The first and most common refers to plans, ideas, or agreements that are not yet final. The second describes a person's physical manner or actions, indicating hesitation. The word is extremely useful in professional and academic writing to express uncertainty clearly and neutrally, avoiding making promises or statements that are not yet fully supported.

Word family: tentatively, tentativeness

💬 Quick answers

What does 'tentative' mean?

Tentative describes something that is not yet certain or finalized, like a 'tentative plan,' or an action done with hesitation and a lack of confidence, like a 'tentative step.'

What is the difference between 'tentative' and 'provisional'?

They are very similar. 'Tentative' emphasizes uncertainty and that something might change. 'Provisional' often implies something is a temporary arrangement that will be replaced by a permanent one later.

Is 'tentative' a negative word?

No, 'tentative' is a neutral word. It simply communicates uncertainty or caution without implying a bad outcome. It is often used in professional contexts to be precise about the status of a plan or idea.

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