conjecture — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A statement or an idea which is unproven, but is thought to be true; a guess.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Formal
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   I explained it, but it is pure conjecture whether he understood, or not.

2. A supposition based upon incomplete evidence; a hypothesis.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Formal
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The physicist used his conjecture about subatomic particles to design an experiment.

3. A statement likely to be true based on available evidence, but which has not been formally proven.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

4. Interpretation of signs and omens.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Obsolete
   • Uncountable

Verb

1. To guess; to venture an unproven idea.

   Usage

   • Formal
   • Intransitive

   Examples

   I do not know if it is true; I am simply conjecturing here.

   What could have been done by such a machine downhill can only be conjectured, for the maximum speed was restricted rigidly to 80 m.p.h.

2. To infer on slight evidence; to guess at.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   February 22, 1685, Robert South, All Contingences under the Direction of God's Providence (sermon preached at Westminster Abbey)

   More examples (1)

   "Most likely he who is the shorter of the two;—no! he goes in the first, and is, of course, the eldest; but we have no time for conjecturing now." Human reason can then, at the best, but conjecture what will be.

Noun

1. a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)

   Synonyms

   speculation

   Broader terms

   hypothesispossibilitytheory

   Examples

   speculations about the outcome of the election

   he dismissed it as mere conjecture

2. a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

   Synonyms

   guesssuppositionsurmisesurmisalspeculationhypothesis

   Broader terms

   opinionview

3. reasoning that involves the formation of conclusions from incomplete evidence

   Broader terms

   reasoninglogical thinkingabstract thought

Verb

1. to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds

   Synonyms

   speculatetheorizetheorisehypothesizehypothesisehypothecatesuppose

   Broader terms

   expectanticipate

   Examples

   Scientists supposed that large dinosaurs lived in swamps