guestimation
Ballpark figure attempt
Guestimation is the act of making a guestimate—an estimate based more on rough judgment than precise calculation.
The word blends guess and estimation, capturing how the process involves educated guessing rather than rigorous measurement: After some guestimation, we figured we'd need about twenty pizzas for the party.
Sports venue or estimate
- back-of-envelopeInformal preliminary calculation
- spitballMoistened paper projectile
- eyeballOrgan of sight
- rough calculationInexact numerical assessment
sizing · range · round number · proximity · sketch · projection · reckoning
Rough, intuitive calculation
- ballpark figureRough numerical estimate
- swagStolen goods, slang
- stabPierce with point
- shot in the darkAttempt lacking any basis
rough idea · off the cuff · wing it · quick take · napkin math · handwaving
Practical solving shortcut
- deductionConclusion from premises
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- conjectureGuess from limited facts
surmise · extrapolation · forecast · prediction · supposition · hypothesis · assessment · judgment
Unproven inner sense
- gut feelingInstinctive sense about something
- instinctInnate behavioral tendency
- sixth senseExtrasensory perception ability
- snap judgmentRapid evaluation without deliberation
feeling · sense · gut check · first impression · read · vibe
Lack of exactness
- margin of errorAllowable deviation from truth
- variabilityTendency to change
- fuzzinessIndistinct or unclear quality
- vaguenessAbsence of precision
inexactness · tolerance · wiggle room · confidence interval · plus or minus
ballpark
Sports venue or estimate
- back-of-envelopeInformal preliminary calculation
- spitballMoistened paper projectile
- eyeballOrgan of sight
rough calculation · sizing · range · round number · proximity · sketch · projection · reckoning
guesstimate
Rough, intuitive calculation
- ballpark figureRough numerical estimate
- swagStolen goods, slang
- stabPierce with point
shot in the dark · rough idea · off the cuff · wing it · quick take · napkin math · handwaving
heuristic
Practical solving shortcut
- deductionConclusion from premises
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- analysisMethodical study of parts
conjecture · surmise · extrapolation · forecast · prediction · supposition · hypothesis · assessment · judgment
hunch
Unproven inner sense
- gut feelingInstinctive sense about something
- instinctInnate behavioral tendency
- sixth senseExtrasensory perception ability
snap judgment · feeling · sense · gut check · first impression · read · vibe
imprecision
Lack of exactness
- margin of errorAllowable deviation from truth
- variabilityTendency to change
- fuzzinessIndistinct or unclear quality
vagueness · inexactness · tolerance · wiggle room · confidence interval · plus or minus
guestimationscientific measurement
Quantified experimental observation
mathematical proof · statistical analysis · audit · calibration · verification