conjecture

[ kuhn-jek-cher ]
See synonyms for conjecture on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the formation or expression of an opinion or theory without sufficient evidence for proof.

  2. an opinion or theory so formed or expressed; guess; speculation.

  1. Obsolete. the interpretation of signs or omens.

verb (used with object),con·jec·tured, con·jec·tur·ing.
  1. to conclude or suppose from grounds or evidence insufficient to ensure reliability.

verb (used without object),con·jec·tured, con·jec·tur·ing.
  1. to form conjectures.

Origin of conjecture

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; (for the noun) Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin conjectūra “inference, reasoning,” from conject(us) “thrown together” (past participle of conicere, conjicere “to throw together, form a conclusion,” from con- con- + -icere, -jicere, combining form of jacere “to throw”) + -ūra -ure; (for the verb) late Middle English conjecturen, from Middle French, from Late Latin conjecturāre, derivative of the noun

synonym study For conjecture

4. See guess.

Other words for conjecture

Other words from conjecture

  • con·jec·tur·a·ble, adjective
  • con·jec·tur·a·bly, adverb
  • con·jec·tur·er, noun
  • mis·con·jec·ture, verb, mis·con·jec·tured, mis·con·jec·tur·ing, noun
  • non·con·jec·tur·a·ble, adjective
  • non·con·jec·tur·a·bly, adverb
  • pre·con·jec·ture, verb (used with object), pre·con·jec·tured, pre·con·jec·tur·ing.
  • un·con·jec·tur·a·ble, adjective
  • un·con·jec·tured, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for conjecture

conjecture

/ (kənˈdʒɛktʃə) /


noun
  1. the formation of conclusions from incomplete evidence; guess

  2. the inference or conclusion so formed

  1. obsolete interpretation of occult signs

verb
  1. to infer or arrive at (an opinion, conclusion, etc) from incomplete evidence

Origin of conjecture

1
C14: from Latin conjectūra an assembling of facts, from conjicere to throw together, from jacere to throw

Derived forms of conjecture

  • conjecturable, adjective
  • conjecturably, adverb
  • conjecturer, 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