adverb

• 1Subject to further confirmation; not definitely.

  ‘the project is tentatively scheduled for next year’

  More example sentences

  • ‘unions tentatively agreed to a three-year contract’
  • ‘Sessions are tentatively scheduled for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.’
  • ‘We can tentatively draw two conclusions that bear on this larger debate.’
  • ‘His first teacher is said to have been Cornelis Buys, identified tentatively with the Master of Alkmaar.’
  • ‘We were tentatively booked as the middle act on a three-band cross-Canada tour.’
  • ‘Tentatively, the conference is scheduled for September in Phoenix, Arizona.’

  1. 1.1In a way that lacks confidence; hesitantly.
     ‘"Are you all right?" Claire asked tentatively’
     More example sentences

     • ‘I walked tentatively across the bridge’
     • ‘The performance began tentatively but progressed to a rousing, very satisfying conclusion.’
     • ‘Ironically, drawing so tightly, so tentatively, helped my painting to be free.’
     • ‘Worn out by looking after this miserable and ungrateful old man, she tentatively takes to drawing as an outlet for her depression.’
     • ‘He tentatively kisses the woman, who reacts ambivalently.’
     • ‘Tentatively, he reached out to take her hand.’