extrapolate

[ ik-strap-uh-leyt ]

/ ɪkˈstræp əˌleɪt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: extrapolate / extrapolated / extrapolating / extrapolation on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), ex·trap·o·lat·ed, ex·trap·o·lat·ing.

to infer (an unknown) from something that is known; conjecture.

Statistics. to estimate (the value of a variable) outside the tabulated or observed range.

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.

to perform extrapolation.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of extrapolate

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

OTHER WORDS FROM extrapolate

ex·trap·o·la·tion, nounex·trap·o·la·tive, ex·trap·o·la·to·ry

[ik-strap-uh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /ɪkˈstræp ə ləˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectiveex·trap·o·la·tor, nouno·ver·ex·trap·o·la·tion, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH extrapolate

deduction, extrapolation , induction, generalization, hypothesis

Words nearby extrapolate

extraordinary rendition, extraordinary wave, extraphysical, extraplanetary, extra point, extrapolate, extrapolation, extrapose, extraposition, extraprofessional, extrapyramidal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use extrapolate in a sentence

“We’re taking a sample and using it to extrapolate to something larger,” said microbiologist Marc Johnson of the University of Missouri.
A New Kind of College Exam: UCSD Is Testing Sewage for COVID-19|Randy Dotinga|September 7, 2020|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 THE VAULTS: The opposite of binge-watching|Brian T. Carney|September 4, 2020|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.
A Corona Xmas: Why physical stores will power online shopping this holiday season|Greg Sterling|September 4, 2020|Search Engine Land
In extrapolating their performance this season, the A’s could challenge their 2018 mark.
The A’s Aren’t Just Scrappy. They’ve Got Stars.|Travis Sawchik|August 13, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

Researchers can extrapolate from there what is happening in the rest of the state or country.
Millions of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. may have gone undiagnosed in March|Tina Hesman Saey|June 25, 2020|Science News
The study used data collected from 11 states to extrapolate rates for the US as a whole.
Rise in Autism Diagnoses Doesn't Surprise Doctors|Russell Saunders|March 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We can use evidence from the present to extrapolate about the past.
The Bill Nye-Ken Ham Debate Was a Nightmare for Science|Michael Schulson|February 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A sound pension should plan for the time on the bottom, not extrapolate from the moment on top.
Sorry, Folks: One Way or the Other, You'll Never Be Able to Completely Count on Retirement|Megan McArdle|March 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But we can extrapolate from previous experience that decapitation does incentivize Hamas to ease up on its attacks.
Do Targeted Killings “Work”?|Brent E. Sasley|November 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
“Voters extrapolate a lot from the process of your campaign,” Lehane says.
Romney ‘Victims’ Video Digs Hole for Campaign Damaged by Infighting|Howard Kurtz|September 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The scientists had worked late, trying to extrapolate their data into some kind of prediction.
The Flaming Mountain|Harold Leland Goodwin
Jamison began to extrapolate from his observations out the control-room port, adding film-clips for authority.
Operation: Outer Space|William Fitzgerald Jenkins
He saw his shortcoming, but could not do anything to help it: he was unable to extrapolate ahead.
Starman's Quest|Robert Silverberg
You doubt it will be Hoskins, because you can't extrapolate how he might break—or even if he would.
Breaking Point|James E. Gunn
Cochrane cocked an eye at Jamison, who could extrapolate at the drop of an equation.
Operation: Outer Space|William Fitzgerald Jenkins

British Dictionary definitions for extrapolate

extrapolate

/ (ɪkˈstræpəˌleɪt) /

verb

maths to estimate (a value of a function or measurement) beyond the values already known, by the extension of a curveCompare interpolate (def. 4)

to infer (something not known) by using but not strictly deducing from the known facts

Derived forms of extrapolate

extrapolation, nounextrapolative or extrapolatory, adjectiveextrapolator, noun

Word Origin for extrapolate

C19: extra- + -polate, as in interpolate

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

Scientific definitions for extrapolate

extrapolate

[ ĭk-străp′ə-lāt′ ]

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

extrapolate

Origin of extrapolate

OTHER WORDS FROM extrapolate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH extrapolate

Words nearby extrapolate

Words related to extrapolate

How to use extrapolate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for extrapolate

Derived forms of extrapolate

Word Origin for extrapolate

Scientific definitions for extrapolate