Guessing

/ˈɡɛsɪŋ/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The act or process of estimating or concluding without sufficient information.

Her guessing about the riddle was not far off the mark.

An estimate or conclusion that is reached without sufficient information.

His first guess was incorrect, but his second guess turned out to be right.

verb

The act of estimating or concluding something without sufficient information to be certain.

She was just guessing when she predicted the outcome of the game.

To make an attempt to answer a question or solve a problem without being sure of the answer.

Without knowing the answer, he started guessing the numbers for the lottery.

To arrive at a conclusion or opinion by conjecture or educated estimation.

The scientist was guessing about the results until the experiments were complete.

Derived from the Old Norse word 'gissa', meaning to suppose or to conjecture.

wild guess

An estimate made without enough information.

guess what

Used to invite someone to share a surprising or interesting revelation.

take a guess

To make an attempt to answer or estimate something.

in the dark

Not knowing or being unsure, often used in relation to guessing.

estimate

An approximate calculation or judgment.

hypothesis

A proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence.

speculation

The formation of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence.

A shot in the dark

Making a choice without any clues is just a shot in the dark.

Take a stab at it

I wasn't sure what the answer was, but I decided to take a stab at it.