Conjecture: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when making a conclusion based on incomplete or insufficient information. Often without any substantial evidence.

• Her conjecture about the cause of the problem turned out to be incorrect.
• The detective's conjecture didn't hold up after further investigation.

Used when forming ideas or opinions based on incomplete information. Often includes extended thinking or theorizing. Can carry a negative connotation when suggesting baseless rumors.

• There was a lot of speculation about the company's new product.
• His speculation about the merger caused unrest among the employees.

Used in informal situations when you are uncertain about an answer or outcome. Often spontaneous and lacking detailed thought.

• I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens.
• Can you guess how many candies are in the jar?

Used to explain situations or phenomena based on substantial evidence and widespread testing. Stronger and more formal than a hypothesis.

• The theory of relativity revolutionized physics.
• Evolution is widely accepted as a scientific theory.

Used in scientific or academic contexts to propose a testable explanation based on limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

• The scientist formulated a hypothesis to explain the unusual data.
• We need to test the hypothesis through controlled experiments.

Used when making an opinion or conclusion formed with incomplete information, often seen in academic or formal settings.

• His conjecture about the outcome of the research was based on limited data.
• The theory remains a conjecture until more evidence is presented.

Used when forming a theory or conjecture without firm evidence, often in discussions or analyses.

• The economists speculate about the future of the market.
• It's difficult to speculate on the outcome of the upcoming election.

Refers to making an estimate or conclusion without sufficient information, often informal and casual.

• Can you guess how old she is?
• I guessed the answer to the trivia question.

Applied when assuming something is true without having complete evidence, more formal than 'guess'.

• Based on his behavior, I surmise that he knew about the surprise.
• She surmised from the look on his face that he was pleased with the results.

Applied when accepting something as true without proof, common in everyday language and situations.

• I assume you'll be at the meeting tomorrow.
• She assumed the responsibility of managing the project.