conjecture

[kuhn-jek-cher]

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.

   Synonyms: hypothesis, theory, supposition, inference, surmise

3. Obsolete.,  the interpretation of signs or omens.

verb (used with object)

conjectured, conjecturing 

1. to conclude or suppose from grounds or evidence insufficient to ensure reliability.

   Synonyms: presume, suppose, surmise

verb (used without object)

conjectured, conjecturing 

1. to form conjectures.

conjecture

/ kənˈdʒɛktʃə /

noun

1. the formation of conclusions from incomplete evidence; guess

2. the inference or conclusion so formed

3. obsolete,  interpretation of occult signs

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• conjecturable adjective
• conjecturably adverb
• conjecturer noun
• misconjecture verb
• nonconjecturable adjective
• nonconjecturably adverb
• preconjecture verb (used with object)
• unconjecturable adjective
• unconjectured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conjecture¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of conjecture¹

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

Synonym Study

See guess.

Example Sentences

Nearly everything else ever written about the family is conjecture spun from the scraps of information that exist, such as Shakespeare’s will leaving nothing to his wife other than “his second-best bed.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Strange Brew added that it was "not in line with our values to exclude Oi Va Voi and Zohara from performing on the basis of conjecture by another group about their views".

Read more on BBC

No one is quite sure how much higher, but Adam Levitin of Georgetown Law conjectures that it might be higher by a percentage point or more.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“This is reckless and irresponsible conjecture without any fact-checking done prior to publication,” the network shared.

Read more on Salon

Almost all the conjecture heading into this week’s Fed meeting is focused on whether the Fed will lower the key rate by 0.25%, or 25 basis points.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• guesswork 
• hunch 
• hypothesis 
• inference 
• supposition