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guess
/ɡɛs/
to form an opinion without sufficient evidence
I guess she won't be coming to the party.
I think or believe she won't be coming, but I'm not certain.
informal
to form an opinion or make a judgment without having all the facts
I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens.
I think or believe we'll have to wait, but I'm not sure.
Often used to express uncertainty or hesitation.
informal
to try to determine something by making an educated estimate
Can you guess how many candies are in the jar?
Can you try to estimate or determine the number of candies in the jar?
Used in games or puzzles where an exact answer is not known.
Collocations
guess whatused to introduce surprising news or informationI guess soused to agree hesitantly or reluctantlywild guessan estimate made without much thought or evidence
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
'Guess' is often used to express uncertainty or to make an educated estimate. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is more common in informal speech.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
The meaning of 'guess' can vary slightly depending on the context. In some cases, it may imply a more educated estimate, while in others, it may simply indicate uncertainty.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'gessen', from Old English 'gæssan', meaning to guess or conjecture.
Usage Notes
The word 'guess' is commonly used in informal contexts to express uncertainty or to make an educated estimate. It can also be used as a noun, as in 'take a guess' or 'my guess is...'.
Word Breakdown
guess
to form an opinion without sufficient evidence
rootEnglish Dictionary