SPECULATION

[noun]The rumours that they are about to marry have been dismissed as pure speculation. [U]After he was dropped from the team, speculation about his future plans was rife. [U]The Prime Minister's speech fuelled/prompted speculation that an election will be held later in the year. [U + that clause]I want to dampen speculation that the school is going to close. [U + that clause]There is intense/widespread speculation that the company is about to collapse. [U + that clause]These theories are really no more than speculations (= guesses). [C]There have been speculations that he's looking for a new job. [C + that clause]