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To deduce or conclude information from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements.
synonyms:deduceconclude
The word 'infer' comes from the Latin 'inferre', meaning 'to bring in' or 'to carry in'. It has been used in English since the late 14th century.
Everyday use; commonly found in academic, analytical, and conversational contexts.
The word is frequently used in both everyday conversations and academic writing, especially in contexts involving reasoning and logic.
From the clues left at the scene, the detective could infer the sequence of events that led to the crime.
She was able to infer his feelings about the situation, even though he didn't say a word.
Based on the data collected, we can infer that the new marketing strategy is more effective than the previous one.
The word 'infer' is like a mental sleuth, allowing us to piece together clues and arrive at conclusions without someone having to spell everything out. Its roots trace back to Latin, where it meant 'to bring in', hinting at how we bring together information to form ideas. In conversation, 'infer' plays a key role in discussions and debates, helping us articulate our thoughts and understand others better. So next time you connect the dots in a conversation, remember: you're not just guessing—you're inferring!