extrapolate

[ ik-strap-uh-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ex·trap·o·lat·ed, ex·trap·o·lat·ing.

1. to infer (an unknown) from something that is known; conjecture.
2. Statistics. to estimate (the value of a variable) outside the tabulated or observed range.
3. Mathematics. to estimate (a function that is known over a range of values of its independent variable) to values outside the known range.

verb (used without object)

, ex·trap·o·lat·ed, ex·trap·o·lat·ing.

1. to perform extrapolation.

extrapolate

/ ɪkˈstræpəˌleɪt /

verb

1. See interpolate
   maths to estimate (a value of a function or measurement) beyond the values already known, by the extension of a curve Compare interpolate
2. to infer (something not known) by using but not strictly deducing from the known facts

extrapolate

/ ĭk-străp′ə-lāt′ /

1. To estimate the value of a quantity that falls outside the range in which its values are known.

Derived Forms

• exˈtrapoˌlator, noun
• exˈtrapolative, adjective
• exˌtrapoˈlation, noun

Other Words From

• ex·trapo·lation noun
• ex·trapo·lative ex·trap·o·la·to·ry [ik-, strap, -, uh, -l, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• ex·trapo·lator noun
• over·ex·trapo·lation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of extrapolate¹

First recorded in 1825–35; extra- + (inter)polate

Word History and Origins

Origin of extrapolate¹

C19: extra- + -polate, as in interpolate

Example Sentences

“We’re taking a sample and using it to extrapolate to something larger,” said microbiologist Marc Johnson of the University of Missouri.

From Voice of San Diego

Craftily extrapolating from current events, Davies creates a fascinating future that serves as a vibrant backdrop for the compelling family saga.

From Washington Blade

From this we can extrapolate – unless there’s dramatic improvement in the economy – that holiday shoppers will be more selective and value conscious than last year.

From Search Engine Land

In extrapolating their performance this season, the A’s could challenge their 2018 mark.

From FiveThirtyEight

Researchers can extrapolate from there what is happening in the rest of the state or country.

From Science News

The study used data collected from 11 states to extrapolate rates for the US as a whole.

From The Daily Beast

We can use evidence from the present to extrapolate about the past.

From The Daily Beast

A sound pension should plan for the time on the bottom, not extrapolate from the moment on top.

From The Daily Beast

But we can extrapolate from previous experience that decapitation does incentivize Hamas to ease up on its attacks.

From The Daily Beast

“Voters extrapolate a lot from the process of your campaign,” Lehane says.

From The Daily Beast

The scientists had worked late, trying to extrapolate their data into some kind of prediction.

From Project Gutenberg

Jamison began to extrapolate from his observations out the control-room port, adding film-clips for authority.

From Project Gutenberg

He saw his shortcoming, but could not do anything to help it: he was unable to extrapolate ahead.

From Project Gutenberg

You doubt it will be Hoskins, because you can't extrapolate how he might break—or even if he would.

From Project Gutenberg

Cochrane cocked an eye at Jamison, who could extrapolate at the drop of an equation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• deduce
• hypothesize