tentative
Definitions
Not certain or fixed; provisional and likely to change
暂定的；初步的；不确定的
Done hesitantly or cautiously, as if unsure
犹豫的；小心翼翼的；试探性的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom the tentāre spelling of the root (try/test) + -ative (tending to) = 'done by way of trying.' If something is only a trial — not yet committed to — it's tentative: provisional, subject to change. The same 'just testing' idea gives the second sense: hesitant, cautious, as if testing the ground before stepping. Note the spelling: this word keeps the older tent- form, not tempt-.
Root tempt still carries 6 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.a tentative agreement初步协议
- 2.tentative steps试探性的步骤
- 3.a tentative conclusion初步结论
- 4.a tentative plan暂定计划
Example Sentences
- 1.
We've reached a tentative agreement, but nothing is signed yet.
- 2.
She took a few tentative steps onto the frozen lake.
- 3.
The meeting is tentatively scheduled for next Friday.
Easily Confused
tentative vs hesitant — Both can describe cautious behavior, but tentative also means 'not yet final' for plans and agreements (a tentative date), where hesitant cannot. hesitant is only about reluctance to act (hesitant to ask). A plan can be tentative; a person is hesitant.