infer
to derive by reasoning; conclude or judge from premises or evidence: They inferred his displeasure from his cool tone of voice.
(of facts, circumstances, statements, etc.) to indicate or involve as a conclusion; lead to.
to draw a conclusion, as by reasoning.
Origin of infer
1usage note For infer
Although the claimed distinction has probably existed chiefly in the pronouncements of usage guides, and although the use of infer to mean “to suggest” usually produces no ambiguity, the distinction too has a long history and is widely observed by many speakers and writers.
word story For infer
Other words for infer
Other words from infer
- in·fer·a·ble, in·fer·ra·ble, adjective
- in·fer·a·bly, adverb
- in·fer·rer, noun
- mis·in·fer, verb, mis·in·ferred, mis·in·fer·ring.
- non·in·fer·a·ble, adjective
- non·in·fer·a·bly, adverb
- sub·in·fer, verb, sub·in·ferred, sub·in·fer·ring.
- un·in·fer·a·ble, adjective
Words that may be confused with infer
- imply, infer (see usage note at the current entry)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use infer in a sentence
Others looked at its distortion of background stars and inferred that it’s a supernova remnant — a dusty cloud marking the gravestone of a dead star.
Galaxy-Size Bubbles Discovered Towering Over the Milky Way | Charlie Wood | January 6, 2021 | Quanta MagazineA kid who understands the concept of a horse and a narwhal can infer what a unicorn looks like by combining the two.
2021 Could Be a Banner Year for AI—If We Solve These 4 Problems | Shelly Fan | January 5, 2021 | Singularity HubBy the same logic, we can look steadily at less-complex forms of behavior that allow us to reasonably infer some kind of mind associated with all types of matter.
Burton inferred that the 4 percent observed increase in drinking was likely happening at bars and restaurants because there was no effect or a slight decline in alcohol purchased for home consumption.
Study: Smoking bans saved countless lives — could they have increased drunk driving? | Jerusalem Demsas | December 24, 2020 | VoxIn nearly half the companies, Google infers that there is interest in who owns the company.
Brand reputation and the impact of Google SERP selections | JR Oakes | December 23, 2020 | Search Engine Land
Of what character this knowledge was is inferable from the sudden self-consciousness that followed the partaking of it.
The Soul of the Far East | Percival LowellThat it did not neglect the opportunity is fairly inferable from the opposition excited.
A History of the Inquisition of Spain; vol. 4 | Henry Charles LeaInferable from these statements, are many collateral subtile matters touching the chase of whales.
Moby Dick; or The Whale | Herman MelvilleIs it inferable that that coat was ever borne by patent or admissible prescriptive right, by any of his ancestors?
Is it not inferable from this declaration that he then supposed him to be Booth?
Assassination of Lincoln: a History of the Great Conspiracy | Thomas Mealey Harris
British Dictionary definitions for infer
/ (ɪnˈfɜː) /
to conclude (a state of affairs, supposition, etc) by reasoning from evidence; deduce
(tr) to have or lead to as a necessary or logical consequence; indicate
(tr) to hint or imply
Origin of infer
1usage For infer
Derived forms of infer
- inferable, inferible, inferrable or inferrible, adjective
- inferably, adverb
- inferrer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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