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]