guestimate
Informed wild guess
Guestimate blends guess and estimate—a rough calculation based more on intuition than precise data.
It acknowledges uncertainty while still offering a figure: I'd guestimate about three hours to finish.
The word is informal and often self-deprecating, signaling that the speaker knows their number might be off.
Also spelled guesstimate.
Sports venue or estimate
- back-of-envelopeInformal preliminary calculation
- spitballMoistened paper projectile
- order of magnitudeApproximate size class
- rough calculationInexact numerical assessment
projection · forecast · reckoning · approximation · first pass
Conclusions drawn without proof
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- assumptionUnverified belief accepted as true
- suppositionBelief without proof
hypothesis · inference · tentative · uncertain · imprecise · inexact · vague · fuzzy
Unproven inner sense
- stabPierce with point
- shotQuick liquor serving
- gut feelingInstinctive sense about something
- intuitionInstinctive immediate understanding
off-the-cuff · seat-of-the-pants · snap judgment · instinct · feeling · speculation · surmise · rough idea
ballpark
Sports venue or estimate
- back-of-envelopeInformal preliminary calculation
- spitballMoistened paper projectile
- order of magnitudeApproximate size class
rough calculation · projection · forecast · reckoning · approximation · first pass
guesswork
Conclusions drawn without proof
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- assumptionUnverified belief accepted as true
supposition · hypothesis · inference · tentative · uncertain · imprecise · inexact · vague · fuzzy · indeterminate
hunch
Unproven inner sense
- stabPierce with point
- shotQuick liquor serving
- gut feelingInstinctive sense about something
intuition · off-the-cuff · seat-of-the-pants · snap judgment · instinct · feeling · speculation · surmise · rough idea