Conjecture: meaning, definitions and examples

🤔

Add to dictionary

conjecture

[kənˈdʒɛktʃər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in mathematics

An opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information. A mathematical proposition that has been formed but not yet proved.

Synonyms

guess, hypothesis, speculation, theory.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
conjecture	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.
speculation	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.
guess	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?
theory	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.
hypothesis	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.

Examples of usage

Her conjecture about the theorem turned out to be correct.
The conjecture has not been proven yet.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

general

To form an opinion or supposition about something without firm evidence. To guess.

Synonyms

assume, guess, speculate, surmise.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
conjecture	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.
speculate	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.
guess	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.
surmise	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.
assume	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.

Examples of usage

He conjectured that she would not come to the party.
We can only conjecture about the outcome.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

Derived from the Latin word 'coniectura', meaning 'a placing together', reflecting how you gather ideas.
The prefix 'con-' means 'together,' and 'jectura' comes from 'iacere', which means 'to throw'.

Science

In mathematics, a conjecture is an educated guess that has yet to be proven true or false.
Famous conjectures, such as Fermat's Last Theorem, remained unsolved for centuries before being proven.

Philosophy

Philosophers often debate the nature of knowledge, discussing how much of what we understand is based on conjecture.
Plato recommended skepticism towards conjectures, emphasizing the importance of seeking true knowledge.

Literature

Many authors use conjecture as a literary device to introduce mystery, allowing characters and readers to ponder outcomes.
The famous detective Sherlock Holmes often relied on conjecture to solve cases, piecing together clues.

Pop Culture

In popular TV shows and movies, characters often make conjectures about other people's motives, which drives the plot.
The Internet is full of conjectures about upcoming trends, shows, and celebrity relationships, showcasing public curiosity and speculation.

Translations

Translations of the word "conjecture" in other languages:

🇵🇹 conjectura

🇮🇳 अनुमान

🇩🇪 Vermutung

🇮🇩 dugaan

🇺🇦 припущення

🇵🇱 hipoteza

🇯🇵 推測 (すいそく)

🇫🇷 conjecture

🇪🇸 conjetura

🇹🇷 varsayım

🇰🇷 추측 (chucheug)

🇸🇦 افتراض

🇨🇿 domněnka

🇸🇰 domnienka

🇨🇳 猜测 (cāicè)

🇸🇮 domneva

🇮🇸 tilgáta

🇰🇿 болжам

🇬🇪 ვარაუდი

🇦🇿 fərziyyə

🇲🇽 conjetura

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,843 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
8840 coup
8841 sour
8842 alfalfa
8843 conjecture
8844 benign
8845 puzzled
8846 deprivation
...