inference

[in-fer-uhns, -fruhns]

noun

1. the act or process of inferring.

2. something that is inferred.

   to make rash inferences.

3. Logic.

   1. the process of deriving the strict logical consequences of assumed premises.

   2. the process of arriving at some conclusion that, though it is not logically derivable from the assumed premises, possesses some degree of probability relative to the premises.

   3. a proposition reached by a process of inference.

inference

/ ˈɪnfərəns, -frəns /

noun

1. the act or process of inferring

2. an inferred conclusion, deduction, etc

3. any process of reasoning from premises to a conclusion

4. logic the specific mode of reasoning used See also deduction induction

inference

1. In logic, the deriving of one idea from another. Inference can proceed through either induction or deduction.

Other Word Forms

• misinference noun
• preinference noun
• superinference noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inference¹

From the Medieval Latin word inferentia, dating back to 1585–95. See infer, -ence

Idioms and Phrases

see draw an inference.

Example Sentences

Almost none of that — OK, none at all — is visible in this film, except by inference and reference.

Read more on Salon

However, in connection to a question about the January transfer window, Amorim said "because it's the knee you never know" - the inference being it might be.

Read more on BBC

We can never draw too much of a wider inference from the strange social and cultural ecology of the place.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That latter market, called inference, is expected to grow ever larger than the market for training models, Nvidia founder and Chief Executive Jensen Huang has said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The inference that players were being signed without his support caused disquiet behind the scenes and suspicion and rancour among the fans.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• assumption 
• conjecture 
• interpretation 
• presumption 
• reasoning 
• supposition