Tentative Meaning
/ˈtɛntətɪv/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA trial; an experiment; an attempt.
nounA schedule for an event or a programme.
Sentence Examples
Attached is the tentative agenda.
I have a tentative schedule.
I've made a tentative deal with Tom.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The company made a ____ plan to launch the product next month, but they still need to confirm.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
They made a ____ plan to meet for lunch next week, but they agreed to confirm the exact time and place later today.
Word Origin & History
From Medieval Latin tentātīvus (“trying, testing”), from tentō, past participle tentātus (“to try, test”); see tent, tempt.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The company made a ____ plan to launch the product next month, but they still need to confirm.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
They made a ____ plan to meet for lunch next week, but they agreed to confirm the exact time and place later today.