TENTATIVE


Meaning of TENTATIVE in English

ten ‧ ta ‧ tive /ˈtentətɪv/ BrE AmE adjective

[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Medieval Latin ; Origin: tentativus , from Latin tentare ; ⇨ ↑ tempt ]

1 . not definite or certain, and may be changed later SYN provisional OPP definite :

I passed on my tentative conclusions to the police.

The government is taking tentative steps towards tackling the country’s economic problems.

2 . done without confidence SYN hesitant :

a tentative smile

—tentatively adverb :

Albi knocked tentatively and entered.

—tentativeness noun [uncountable]

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.