The tentative meaning has two sides. A plan, date or agreement that is tentative is not final yet and may change. A person or action that is tentative is hesitant, done carefully because of doubt or shyness, like a child's first steps on ice.
Both senses share the idea of trying something out without full commitment. The word shows up on exam timetables, meeting invites, contracts under discussion and in descriptions of nervous smiles. Read on for a clear tentative definition, examples of each sense and the errors that catch writers out.
Entry at a glance
Meaning
Not settled yet; or uncertain and hesitantPart of speech
AdjectivePronunciation
TEN-tuh-tivWord forms
tentatively (adverb), tentativeness (noun)Origin
Medieval Latin tentativus, trying, from tentare, to feel or try; in English from the 1580sOpposite
Final, confirmed, definite; for people, confident or boldClose words
Provisional, interim, hesitant, cautious
Two senses of the tentative meaning
- Not definite or final. A tentative plan is the current best version, but everyone knows it may change. The tentative launch date is the first week of March. This sense is very common at work and in official notices.
- Hesitant or unsure. A tentative action is done slowly or cautiously, because the person is not confident. He gave a tentative knock on the door. This sense describes behavior, voices, smiles and steps.
If you had to define tentative with a single idea, it would be trying. The Latin root meant to feel your way or test something, and both senses describe something done as a trial rather than with full certainty.
Examples for each sense
Sense 1: not final
- The college released a tentative exam schedule, with the final version due next week.
- Both sides reached a tentative agreement, which still needs a vote by union members.
- Put me down as tentative for Saturday; I may have to work.
Sense 2: hesitant
- The puppy took a few tentative steps onto the wet grass.
- She offered a tentative suggestion at the end of the meeting, unsure if anyone would agree.
How to use tentative in a sentence
Tentative usually comes before a noun: tentative date, tentative plan, tentative list, tentative diagnosis, tentative smile, tentative first step. It can also follow a linking verb: The schedule is still tentative.
The adverb tentatively is just as useful. The meeting is tentatively set for Friday means it is planned for Friday but may move. She tentatively raised her hand means she did it nervously.
The noun tentativeness exists but sounds heavy; most writers prefer hesitation or uncertainty.
Tentative definition next to similar words
| Word | Best use |
|---|---|
| Tentative | A plan that may change, or a cautious action |
| Provisional | Arranged for now until something permanent replaces it; often official, as in a provisional license |
| Contingent | Depends on a condition being met |
| Hesitant | Slow to act or speak because of doubt |
| Vague | Not clear or detailed; a vague plan lacks detail, while a tentative plan can be detailed but not final |
So a tentative booking may be quite precise, down to the room number, but it is not confirmed. Its opposite in tone is adamant, which describes someone who will not budge at all.
Where the word comes from
Tentative appeared in English around the 1580s, borrowed from Medieval Latin tentativus, meaning trying or testing. That word comes from the Latin verb tentare, to feel, handle or try, which is also the source of English tempt. Early uses described things done as an experiment. The sense of a shy or uncertain action grew from that idea of testing the ground.
Mistakes and confusions
- Spelling. It has three t's: ten-ta-tive. Tenative and tentitive are common misspellings.
- Tentative vs attentive. Despite the shared letters, the two have no link. Attentive means paying close attention.
- Tentatively vs temporarily. Something temporary lasts only a short time. Something tentative might last forever once confirmed; it is just not certain yet.
- Overusing it. In office emails in India and the US, people sometimes write tentative on every plan. If a date is actually fixed, say confirmed so nobody waits for an update.
Planning words like this one, handy for calendars and memos, are gathered with many others under everyday vocabulary; a quick browse pays off.
Frequently asked questions
What does tentative mean on a schedule?
It means the dates or times are planned but not final. Expect a confirmed version later, and check again before you make firm plans around it.
Is tentative positive or negative?
Mostly neutral. A tentative plan is simply not settled. Describing a person as tentative can hint at a lack of confidence, but it can also suggest care.
How do you pronounce tentative?
Say TEN-tuh-tiv, putting the weight on TEN. The middle t is often softened in American speech.
What is the opposite of tentative?
For plans, the opposite is final, confirmed or definite. For people and actions, it is confident, bold or firm.
What does tentatively scheduled mean?
It means an event has been given a date or time, but that slot could still change. Organizers use it while they wait for venues, people or approvals.
Is a tentative agreement legally binding?
Often it is not yet final, because it usually needs a further step such as a vote, a signature or a formal contract. Whether a particular draft is binding depends on its terms, so ask a qualified lawyer for your own case.