guess
Venture an answer
To guess is to offer an answer without being certain it's correct.
A guess may be based on incomplete information, intuition, or pure chance: Guess how old I am, If you don't know the answer, just guess.
To guess can also mean to suppose or think: I guess we should get going.
A guess is the noun form—the answer itself: That's a good guess, Your guess is as good as mine.
An educated guess draws on relevant knowledge rather than random speculation.
Guess based on incomplete evidence
- surmiseGuess from incomplete information
- theorizeForm explanatory suppositions
- hypothesizePropose a tentative explanation
- supposeAccept as true tentatively
assume · postulate · presume · infer · deduce · reason · reckon · imagine
Risked stake on outcome
- wagerStake on uncertainty
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- riskPossibility of harm
- oddsLikelihood expressed numerically
random · stab · punt · longshot · speculation
Near but inexact value
- ballparkSports venue or estimate
- estimationApproximate value judgment
- reckoningSettlement of accounts
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
calculation · projection · valuation · range · back-of-envelope · spitball · eyeball · measure
Instinctive immediate understanding
- inklingSlight, uncertain awareness
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- instinctInnate behavioral tendency
- feelingSensed inner state
premonition · sense · notion · impression · vibe · psychic · presentiment
speculate
Guess based on incomplete evidence
- surmiseGuess from incomplete information
- theorizeForm explanatory suppositions
- hypothesizePropose a tentative explanation
suppose · assume · postulate · presume · infer · deduce · reason · reckon · imagine · believe
bet
Risked stake on outcome
approximation
Near but inexact value
- ballparkSports venue or estimate
- estimationApproximate value judgment
- reckoningSettlement of accounts
assessment · calculation · projection · valuation · range · back-of-envelope · spitball · eyeball · measure · gauge
intuition
Instinctive immediate understanding
- inklingSlight, uncertain awareness
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- instinctInnate behavioral tendency
feeling · premonition · sense · notion · impression · vibe · psychic · presentiment
riddle
Puzzling question to solve
- puzzleChallenge testing ingenuity
- charadesWordless guessing game
- triviaUnimportant miscellaneous facts
hangman · mystery · clue · hint · stumper · brainteaser · blindfold · whodunit · quiz · password
forecast
Prediction of future conditions
- prophesyPredict through revelation
- prognosticateForetell future events
- divineOf or from gods
foresee · anticipate · call · predict · foretell · project · expect · envision · read · foresight
- guess whatPhrase preceding surprising news
- I guessUncertain agreement phrase
- take a guessAttempt without certainty
- wild guessUninformed speculation attempt
- guess whoPlayful identity challenge
- best guessLikeliest prediction attempted
guessing, guessed, guesswork, guesses, guesstimate, guessable, educated guess, unguessable, guesser