conjecture

(noun, verb)

noun

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

- he dismissed it as mere conjecture

Similar word(s): speculation

Definition categories: thought, hypothesis, possibility, theory

2. a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

Similar word(s): guess, hypothesis, speculation, supposition, surmisal, surmise

Definition categories: communication, opinion, view

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

Definition categories: thought, reasoning

Sentences with conjecture as a noun:

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

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

verb

1. to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds

Similar word(s): hypothecate, hypothesise, hypothesize, speculate, suppose, theorise, theorize

Definition categories: cognition, anticipate, expect