Conjecture - English meaning

noun

A value or quantity that is nearly but not exactly correct.

Usage examples:

These figures are only approximations

noun

A figure that is close to a particular number or time but not exactly that number or time

Usage examples:

Sales-tax receipts provide an approximation of retail sales., approximation to sth a closer approxi…

noun

A guess of a number that is not exact but that is close

Usage examples:

Could you give me a rough approximation of how many people will be coming?, what he said bore no ap…

verb

Suppose to be the case, without proof.

Usage examples:

Topics which assume detailed knowledge of local events

verb

To accept something to be true without question or proof

Usage examples:

We mustn't assume the suspects' guilt., [ + (that) ] i assumed (that) you knew each other because y…

verb

To pretend to have a different name or be someone you are not, or to express a feeling falsely

Usage examples:

Moving to a different town, he assumed a false name., he assumed a look of indifference but i knew …

noun

A thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof.

Usage examples:

They made certain assumptions about the market

noun

A willingness to accept something as true without question or proof

Usage examples:

[ + that clause ] the plan was based on the assumption that the schedule could be substantially spe…

noun

Something that you accept as true, although you have no proof

Usage examples:

Make an assumption about sb/sth we tend to make assumptions about our staff's ability based on very…

noun

An acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof.

Usage examples:

His belief in extraterrestrial life

noun

The feeling of being certain that something exists or is true

Usage examples:

[ c ] philosophical beliefs, [ c ] he made no secret of his belief that she was guilty., [ u ] i ha…

noun

Something that you believe

Usage examples:

All religious and political beliefs should be respected equally., [ + that ] it is my (firm) belief…

verb

Accept that (something) is true, especially without proof.

Usage examples:

The superintendent believed lancaster's story

verb

To think that something is true or correct

Usage examples:

[ t ] one juror said he didn’t believe the policeman’s testimony., [ + (that) clause ] she believed…

verb

To think that something is true, correct, or real

Usage examples:

Strangely, no one believed us when we told them we'd been visited by a creature from mars., [ + tha…

verb

Roughly calculate or judge the value, number, quantity, or extent of.

Usage examples:

The aim is to estimate the effects of macroeconomic policy on the economy

noun

An approximate calculation or judgement of the value, number, quantity, or extent of something.

Usage examples:

At a rough estimate, staff are recycling a quarter of paper used

verb

Judge tentatively

noun

The action of estimating or concluding something by assuming that existing trends will continue or a current method will remain applicable.

Usage examples:

Sizes were estimated by extrapolation

noun

The process of using existing information to discover what is likely to happen or be true in the future

Usage examples:

Extrapolation of sth the bank expects inflation to overshoot target in two years, but this is only …

noun

The process of using information that is already known to guess or think about what might happen

Usage examples:

The assumption involves considerable extrapolation., the age of the lichens can be determined by ex…

adjective

Elaborate in structure or decoration.

Usage examples:

The furniture was very fancy

verb

Feel a desire or liking for.

Usage examples:

Do you fancy a drink?

noun

A superficial or transient feeling of liking or attraction.

Usage examples:

This was no passing fancy, but a feeling he would live by

verb

Estimate or conclude (something) without sufficient information to be sure of being correct.

Usage examples:

She guessed the child's age at 14 or 15

noun

An estimate or conclusion formed by guessing.

Usage examples:

My guess is that within a year we will have a referendum

verb

To give an answer to a question when you do not have all the facts and so cannot be certain if you are right

Usage examples:

[ i ] i didn’t know the answer, so i had to guess., [ + (that) clause ] he guessed (that) she was a…

noun

A supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

Usage examples:

His ‘steady state’ hypothesis of the origin of the universe

noun

An idea or explanation for something that is based on known facts but has not yet been proven

Usage examples:

Several hypotheses for global warming have been suggested.

noun

An idea or explanation for something that may be true but has not yet been completely proved

Usage examples:

Hypothesis that evidence supports their hypothesis that a long-term relationship built on trust and…

verb

Put (something) forward as a hypothesis.

Usage examples:

Lack of cushioning in shoes has been hypothesized as a cause of running injuries

verb

Believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds

verb

To give a possible but not yet proven explanation for something

Usage examples:

There's no point hypothesizing about how the accident happened, since we'll never really know.

verb

Form a mental image or concept of.

Usage examples:

She imagined him at his desk, his head in his hands

verb

To form or have a mental picture or idea of something or someone

Usage examples:

Imagine tom as a child – that’s what john looks like., [ + that clause ] i imagine (= expect) (that…

verb

To form or have a mental picture or idea of something

Usage examples:

Imagine robert redford when he was young - that's what john looks like., [ + (that) ] imagine (that…

verb

Deduce or conclude (something) from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements.

Usage examples:

From these facts we can infer that crime has been increasing

verb

To reach an opinion from available information or facts

Usage examples:

[ + that clause ] he inferred that she was not interested in a relationship from what she said in h…

verb

To form an opinion or guess that something is true because of the information that you have

Usage examples:

Infer something from something what do you infer from her refusal?, [ + that ] i inferred from her …

noun

A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning.

Usage examples:

Researchers are entrusted with drawing inferences from the data

noun

A belief or opinion that you develop from the information that you know

noun

A guess that you make or an opinion that you form based on the information that you have

Usage examples:

By inference they were warned to expect a heavy air attack and by inference many casualties., his c…

noun

A conception of or belief about something.

Usage examples:

Children have different notions about the roles of their parents

noun

A belief or idea

Usage examples:

Nast helped form the american notion of santa claus.

noun

A suggestion or assumption of the existence, fact, or truth of something as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief.

Usage examples:

Discrepancies between empirical findings and theoretical postulations

verb

Suppose that something is the case on the basis of probability.

Usage examples:

I presumed that the man had been escorted from the building

verb

To believe something to be true because it is likely, although not certain

Usage examples:

[ + (that) clause ] i presume (that) they’re not coming, since they haven’t replied to the invitati…

noun

An idea that is taken to be true on the basis of probability.

Usage examples:

Underlying presumptions about human nature

noun

A belief that something is true because it is likely, although not certain

Usage examples:

There is no scientific evidence to support such presumptions., what presumption, to assume that i’d…

noun

The fact of believing that something is true without having any proof

Usage examples:

Every defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless they are proven guilty., presump…

noun

An estimate or forecast of a future situation based on a study of present trends.

Usage examples:

Plans based on projections of slow but positive growth

verb

Form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence.

Usage examples:

My colleagues speculate about my private life

verb

To form opinions about something without having the necessary information or facts; to make guesses

Usage examples:

I’m just speculating about what happened., officials refused to speculate on the cause of the crash…

verb

To guess possible answers to a question when you do not have enough information to be certain

Usage examples:

Speculate on/about sth journalists are speculating about whether interest rates will be cut., a spo…

noun

The forming of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence.

Usage examples:

There has been widespread speculation that he plans to quit

noun

The act of guessing possible answers to a question without having enough information to be certain

Usage examples:

Rumours that the ceo is retiring have been dismissed as pure speculation., speculation about sth th…

verb

Think or assume that something is true or probable but lack proof or certain knowledge.

Usage examples:

I suppose i got there about noon

verb

To expect or believe

Usage examples:

[ i ] "will you be going with them?" "yes, i suppose (so).", [ + (that) clause ] "you don’t suppose…

verb

To think that something is likely to be true

Usage examples:

[ + (that) ] dan didn't answer his phone, so i suppose (that) he's busy., he found it a lot more di…

noun

A belief held without proof or certain knowledge; an assumption or hypothesis.

Usage examples:

They were working on the supposition that his death was murder

noun

An idea that something may be true, although it is not certain

Usage examples:

[ + that clause ] the investment was based on the supposition that there was adequate demand for a …

verb

Suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it.

Usage examples:

He surmised that something must be wrong

noun

A supposition that something may be true, even though there is no evidence to confirm it.

Usage examples:

Charles was glad to have his surmise confirmed

verb

To decide that something is true without having complete information or proof

Usage examples:

[ + (that) clause ] i quickly surmised (that) my dinner companion was something of a bore.

verb

Have an idea or impression of the existence, presence, or truth of (something) without certain proof.

Usage examples:

If you suspect a gas leak, do not turn on an electric light

noun

A person thought to be guilty of a crime or offence.

Usage examples:

The police have arrested a suspect

adjective

Not to be relied on or trusted; possibly dangerous or false.

Usage examples:

A suspect package was found on the platform

noun

A feeling or thought that something is possible, likely, or true.

Usage examples:

She had a sneaking suspicion that he was laughing at her

noun

A feeling or belief that something is likely or true

Usage examples:

[ + that clause ] there are suspicions that he may not be able to play at all., [ c ] his strange b…

verb

Form a theory or theories about something.

Usage examples:

He theorized that the atolls marked the sites of vanished volcanoes

verb

To suggest an explanation for something

Usage examples:

Investigators theorized that ice had built up on the wings of the plane, causing it to stall soon a…

noun

A supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained.

Usage examples:

Darwin's theory of evolution

verb

Have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something.

Usage examples:

She thought that nothing would be the same again

noun

An act of thinking.

Usage examples:

I went for a walk to have a think

Judge or regard; look upon; judge