Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense conjectures, present participle conjecturing, past tense, past participle conjectured
1. variable noun
A conjecture is a conclusion that is based on information that is not certain or complete.
[formal]
That was a conjecture, not a fact.
There are several conjectures.
The future of the province remains a matter of conjecture.
Synonyms: guess, theory, fancy, notion More Synonyms of conjecture
2. verb
When you conjecture, you form an opinion or reach a conclusion on the basis of information that is not certain or complete.
[formal]
He conjectured that some individuals may be able to detect major calamities. [VERB that]
This may be true or partly true; we are all conjecturing here. [VERB]
[Also V wh, V n]
Synonyms: guess, speculate, surmise, theorize More Synonyms of conjecture
conjecture in British English
(kənˈdʒɛktʃə)
noun
1.
the formation of conclusions from incomplete evidence; guess
2.
the inference or conclusion so formed
3. obsolete
interpretation of occult signs
verb
4.
to infer or arrive at (an opinion, conclusion, etc) from incomplete evidence
Derived forms
conjecturable (conˈjecturable)
adjective
conjecturably (conˈjecturably)
adverb
conjecturer (conˈjecturer)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Latin conjectūra an assembling of facts, from conjicere to throw together, from jacere to throw
conjecture in American English
(kənˈdʒɛktʃər)
noun
1.
an inferring, theorizing, or predicting from incomplete or uncertain evidence; guesswork
an editorial full of conjecture
2.
an inference, theory, or prediction based on guesswork; guess
3. Obsolete
occult divination
verb transitiveWord forms: conˈjectured or conˈjecturing
4.
to arrive at or propose by conjecture; guess
verb intransitive
5.
to make a conjecture
SIMILAR WORDS: guess
Derived forms
conjecturable (conˈjecturable)
adjective
Word origin
ME < L conjectura, a putting together, guess, inference < conjectus, pp. of conjicere, to throw together, guess < com-, together + jacere, to throw: see jet1
Examples of 'conjecture' in a sentence
conjecture
He is also eager to forestall conjecture about the captaincy.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
And any suggestion to the contrary is just pure conjecture.
The Sun (2015)
Mere speculation or conjecture that this would happen is not enough evidence of direct injury to support standing.
Christianity Today (2000)
Until the powers that be shed some light on the situation we are left only with conjecture and rumour.
The Sun (2014)
But around them swirl the mists of conjecture and pure fantasy that the learned judge has to cut through.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Quite what went on during the Australia tour has been a matter of much conjecture.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Since the spring, there has been conjecture about the moment when relocation would resume.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
These are alarming numbers and economically very damaging - and they are not mere conjecture.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Before her return from California all this would have been mere conjecture.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The source said: 'We can conjecture about what was going on in the house.
The Sun (2008)
One can only conjecture about the reasons for Russia's change of front.
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
That, for now, is mere conjecture.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But a spokesman said: 'All reports are pure conjecture as the studio has not committed to a sequel as yet.
The Sun (2015)
In other languages
conjecture
British English: conjecture NOUN
A conjecture is a conclusion that is based on information that is not certain or complete.
That was a conjecture, not a fact.
American English: conjecture
Brazilian Portuguese: conjectura
Chinese: 推测
European Spanish: conjetura
French: conjecture
German: Vermutung
Italian: congettura
Japanese: 推測
Korean: 억측
European Portuguese: conjectura
Latin American Spanish: conjetura
British English: conjecture VERB
When you conjecture, you form an opinion or reach a conclusion on the basis of information that is not certain or complete.
He conjectured that some individuals may be able to detect major calamities.
...a list of all the paradises that man had ever thought of, conjectured, or desired.
American English: conjecture
Brazilian Portuguese: conjecturar
Chinese: 推测
European Spanish: hacer conjeturas
French: conjecturer
German: vermuten
Italian: congetturare
Japanese: 推測する
Korean: 억측하다
European Portuguese: conjecturar
Latin American Spanish: hacer conjeturas
(noun)
Definition
a guess
Your assertion is merely a conjecture, not a fact.
Synonyms
guess
He took her pulse and made a guess at her blood pressure.
theory
There is a theory that they met each other a few years ago.
fancy
notion
speculation
I had published my speculations about the future of the universe.
assumption
They are wrong in their assumption that we are all alike.
hypothesis
Different hypotheses have been put forward.
inference
There were two inferences to be drawn from her letter.
presumption
the presumption that a defendant is innocent until proved guilty
surmise
Her surmise proved correct.
theorizing
guesswork
He bases his claim on a few facts and a lot of guesswork.
supposition
There's a popular supposition that we're publicly funded.
shot in the dark
guesstimate (informal)
(verb)
Definition
to form (an opinion or conclusion) from incomplete evidence
This may or may not be true; we are all conjecturing here.
Synonyms
guess
I guess I'm just being paranoid.
speculate
The reader can speculate about what will happen next.
surmise
She surmised that they had discovered one of the illegal streets.
theorize
We can theorize about their minds by watching them behave.
suppose
The problem was more complex than he supposed.
imagine
I imagine you're referring to me.
assume
It is a mistake to assume that the two are similar.
fancy
She fancied he was trying to hide a smile.
infer
I inferred from what she said that you have not been well.
hypothesize
suspect
I suspect they were right.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of assume
Definition
to take to be true without proof
It is a mistake to assume that the two are similar.
Synonyms
presume,
think,
believe,
expect,
accept,
suppose,
imagine,
suspect,
guess (informal),
take it,
fancy,
take for granted,
infer,
conjecture,
postulate (formal),
surmise,
presuppose
in the sense of assumption
Definition
something that is taken for granted
They are wrong in their assumption that we are all alike.