infer
to derive by reasoning; conclude or judge from premises or evidence: They inferred his displeasure from his cool tone of voice.
(of facts, circumstances, statements, etc.) to indicate or involve as a conclusion; lead to.
to draw a conclusion, as by reasoning.
Origin of infer
1usage note For infer
Although the claimed distinction has probably existed chiefly in the pronouncements of usage guides, and although the use of infer to mean “to suggest” usually produces no ambiguity, the distinction too has a long history and is widely observed by many speakers and writers.
word story For infer
Other words for infer
Other words from infer
- in·fer·a·ble, in·fer·ra·ble, adjective
- in·fer·a·bly, adverb
- in·fer·rer, noun
- mis·in·fer, verb, mis·in·ferred, mis·in·fer·ring.
- non·in·fer·a·ble, adjective
- non·in·fer·a·bly, adverb
- sub·in·fer, verb, sub·in·ferred, sub·in·fer·ring.
- un·in·fer·a·ble, adjective
Words that may be confused with infer
- imply, infer (see usage note at the current entry)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use infer in a sentence
It infers by exclusion that the food must be under the novel object.
Are You Smarter Than a Mouse? Excerpt from Smarter: The New Science of Building Brain Power | Dan Hurley | January 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd on this ground he infers that geometrical figures really exist, because they can be distinctly conceived.
A System of Logic: Ratiocinative and Inductive | John Stuart MillThe labourer, he infers, should have the value which he creates.
The English Utilitarians, Volume II (of 3) | Leslie StephenThe scriptural character of their contents infers the perpetual obligation of these Covenants.
The Covenants And The Covenanters | VariousBefore criticising this proof, from which Bahya infers more than is legitimate, we must prove the three original assumptions.
A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy | Isaac Husik
It derives general rules, makes premises and infers one thing from another.
A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy | Isaac Husik
British Dictionary definitions for infer
/ (ɪnˈfɜː) /
to conclude (a state of affairs, supposition, etc) by reasoning from evidence; deduce
(tr) to have or lead to as a necessary or logical consequence; indicate
(tr) to hint or imply
Origin of infer
1usage For infer
Derived forms of infer
- inferable, inferible, inferrable or inferrible, adjective
- inferably, adverb
- inferrer, 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
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