Guesstimate: meaning, definitions and examples

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guesstimate

[ˈɡes.tɪ.meɪt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

informal

To estimate or calculate something without precise information or data.

Synonyms

approximate, estimate, roughly calculate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
guesstimate	Used in informal situations when giving an estimate based on both guesswork and some known information. It can imply a lack of precision. He just made a guesstimate of the total cost. I can guesstimate how much time we'll need.
approximate	Best for general contexts where a close but not exact figure is needed, often to give a rough but reasonable idea of a quantity or value. The approximate time of arrival is 8 PM. We need an approximate count of attendees.
estimate	Appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, used when giving a calculated guess based on available information or data. It often suggests a more careful calculation than 'guesstimate'. Can you estimate the cost of this project? We need to estimate how much material we will need.
roughly calculate	Useful in situations where you need to do a quick calculation, with an understanding that it may not be very precise. I can roughly calculate the distance from here to there. We need to roughly calculate the budget before proceeding.

Examples of usage

Can you guesstimate how many people will attend the event?
She guesstimated the cost of the repairs to be around $500.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

informal

An estimate made without precise data; a rough guess.

Synonyms

approximation, ballpark figure, rough estimate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
guesstimate	Used when you need to estimate something quickly and informally, where precision is less important. It often implies a guess that is not based on much data. I don't have the exact number of attendees, but my guesstimate would be around a hundred
rough estimate	Used when you need to provide a quick and not precise estimate, which is clear to all parties that it is very approximate. This is just a rough estimate, but we might need about three weeks to complete the project
ballpark figure	Used when an estimate is needed to give a general sense or rough idea. It is often used in business contexts where a non-precise number is acceptable for preliminary discussions. Can you give me a ballpark figure of how much the new building might cost?
approximation	Used when you need to convey the idea of being close to an exact number or value without being precise. It generally suggests a somewhat higher level of accuracy than a guess. The approximation of the cost for the new project is around $20,000

Examples of usage

His guesstimate of the project completion date was way off.
We need to make a guesstimate of the budget before finalizing the plans.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'guesstimate' is a blend of 'guess' and 'estimate', first appearing in the 1930s.
It became popular in the 1980s, reflecting a culture increasingly reliant on quick, informal assessments.
This term is considered informal and often used in casual conversation or business environments.

Science

Scientists often need to guesstimate when data is incomplete, making rough calculations to proceed with their work.
In physics, guesstimation can help in solving problems when precise measurements are unfeasible.
The concept of 'back-of-the-envelope calculations' encourages scientists to use quick estimates to explore ideas without needing detailed data.

Business

In business management, guesstimates help project managers make decisions when time is limited, using available information to make educated guesses.
Startups often rely on guesstimates for market size and budget planning until actual data is available.
Guesstimation is a valuable skill in risk management, allowing professionals to predict potential outcomes based on limited evidence.

Psychology

Estimations can be biased by prior knowledge or experiences, resulting in overconfidence in certain guesstimates.
Cognitive psychology studies how people make quick estimates and the common errors that can arise in judgment.
Understanding how guesstimates are formed can help improve decision-making processes in uncertain situations.

Pop Culture

The term 'guesstimate' has appeared in various films and TV shows, often used humorously to showcase characters making ill-informed decisions.
In popular media, the approach of guesstimating is often associated with comedic scenarios where characters are overconfident in their guesses.
Guesstimate has also entered the vocabulary of social media, with influencers and bloggers using it when discussing trends or audience demographics.

Translations

Translations of the word "guesstimate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 estimativa aproximada

🇮🇳 अनुमान

🇩🇪 Schätzung

🇮🇩 perkiraan kasar

🇺🇦 приблизна оцінка

🇵🇱 szacunkowe oszacowanie

🇯🇵 概算 (gaisan)

🇫🇷 estimation approximative

🇪🇸 estimación aproximada

🇹🇷 tahmini hesap

🇰🇷 어림짐작 (eorimjimjak)

🇸🇦 تقدير تقريبي

🇨🇿 hrubý odhad

🇸🇰 približný odhad

🇨🇳 粗略估计 (cūlüè gūjì)

🇸🇮 približna ocena

🇮🇸 grófleg áætlun

🇰🇿 шамамен бағалау

🇬🇪 დაახლოებითი შეფასება

🇦🇿 təxmini qiymətləndirmə

🇲🇽 estimación aproximada

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,743, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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38740 vivarium
38741 procreated
38742 gibber
38743 guesstimate
38744 bankrolled
38745 fibrillated
38746 umpiring
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