Definition of "speculator" [spec•u•la•tor]

• One that speculates: a commodities speculator; a speculator regarding the future turn of events. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The word "speculator" comes from the Latin word "specula" (watchtower) and indicates someone who tries to "look far away" and thus metaphorically "look ahead", in other words to foresee future events."
• "ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, I think this term speculator is being a bit overused here, frankly, because it's not just classical speculators who are moving the price of oil but it's so many investors."
• "I understand that the Wall Street definition of a successful initial public offering is one that allows a short-term speculator to make a quick profit."