tentative
adjEtymology From Medieval Latin tentātīvus (“trying, testing”), from tentō, past participle tentātus (“to try, test”); see tent, tempt.
1
Of or pertaining to a trial or trials; essaying; experimental.
2
Uncertain; subject to future change.
- He gave a tentative answer, unsure of the final outcome.
- We have a tentative plan for the weekend, but nothing is confirmed yet.
2 more examples
- 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.2009 May 3, Manohla Dargis, A. O. Scott, “Memos to Hollywood”, in The New York Times:
- Hegseth's reference to the report being "low confidence" suggest it is tentative and its findings may change as more detail emerges.2025 June 25, Rachel Hagan, “Trump pushes back after leaked report suggests Iran strikes had limited impact”, in BBC News:
3
Restrained; polite; feeling one's way, not using full force.
- Her tentative steps showed her nervousness as she entered the room.
- Antonyms
- conclusive, definitive, certain
- Derived terms
- pretentative, tentatively, tentativeness, tentative wound