tentative
Not certain or fixed; provisional
Examples
In a meeting
“Let's put a tentative meeting on the calendar for next Tuesday”
Over coffee
“We have tentative plans to go hiking if the weather's good”
Why this word
uncertain
uncertain describes doubt; tentative specifically means provisional, subject to change, or hesitant
provisional
provisional means temporary arrangement; tentative adds connotation of uncertainty or hesitancy
hesitant
hesitant describes manner; tentative describes plans/conclusions that are not yet definite
Usage tip
Use to indicate plans or decisions that may change based on circumstances
Etymology
Latin 'tentare' (to try, test) from 'temptare'
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Related words
anticipate
To expect or predict something and prepare for it accordingly.
preempt
Take action to prevent something before it happens
proactive
Acting in advance to deal with expected situations
initiative
A new plan or action taken to achieve something
sequence
To arrange things in a specific logical order
circle
To return to and discuss something again later