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Inference: meaning, definitions and examples

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inference

[ ˈɪnf(ə)rəns ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

logical reasoning

A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning. Inference involves drawing a logical conclusion from the available information.

Synonyms

assumption, conclusion, deduction.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
inference	Used when you derive a logical conclusion from available evidence or facts. The scientist's inference was based on years of research. From the data, we can make an inference about the population's health.
deduction	Used when you derive a specific conclusion from general principles or known facts. Sherlock Holmes is famous for his method of deduction. By deduction, if all men are mortal and Socrates is a man, then Socrates is mortal.
conclusion	Used when you reach a final decision or judgment after considering evidence or arguments. After reviewing the evidence, the jury reached a conclusion. In conclusion, the study found no significant link between the drug and the disease.
assumption	Used when you accept something as true without proof, often as a starting point for further investigation. Her assumption that everyone likes chocolate may not be correct. The project was based on the assumption that we had enough resources.

Examples of usage

In science, making inferences is a crucial part of the research process.
Her inference that he was guilty turned out to be correct.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

literature

A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning, especially in literary analysis. In literature, inference is often used to interpret the deeper meaning of a text.

Synonyms

conclusion, deduction, interpretation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
inference	Used when you are drawing a logical conclusion based on available evidence and reasoning. From her tone of voice, I made the inference that she was upset. Scientists make inferences based on their observations.
interpretation	Used when you are explaining the meaning of something, often in a subjective or individual way. Her interpretation of the novel was very different from mine. Artistic interpretation allows for various perspectives.
conclusion	Used when you are discussing the final part of something, especially the result after considering the facts. After reviewing all the evidence, the jury reached its conclusion. In conclusion, the project was a success.
deduction	Used when you are deriving information by reasoning from general principles to specific instances. Sherlock Holmes is famous for his use of deduction to solve mysteries. Through deduction, we can infer that this painting was created in the 18th century.

Examples of usage

The reader's inference about the character's motives added a new layer of understanding to the story.
Inference is a key skill in analyzing poetry.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

machine learning

A process where a machine learns to make predictions or decisions based on data. Inference is a key component of machine learning algorithms.

Synonyms

decision-making, interpretation, prediction.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
inference	Used when concluding something based on evidence and reasoning. Often utilized in academic, scientific, or detective contexts. She made an inference from the data collected in the study The detective's inference pointed to the butler as the culprit
prediction	Refers to the act of forecasting what will happen in the future based on current information or trends. Common in meteorology, finance, and technology. The weather prediction says it will rain tomorrow His prediction about the stock market crash was accurate
decision-making	Refers to the process of making a choice or finding a solution. Commonly used in business, management, and personal contexts. Effective decision-making is crucial for a successful manager They spent hours on decision-making to choose the best strategy
interpretation	Used when explaining the meaning of something or understanding it in a particular way. Often related to art, law, or literature. Her interpretation of the painting was very insightful The court's interpretation of the law favored the defendant

Examples of usage

During the training phase, the machine learns patterns in the data to make accurate inferences later on.
Real-time inference allows the machine to make decisions quickly based on incoming data.

Translations

Translations of the word "inference" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inferência

🇮🇳 अनुमान

🇩🇪 Schlussfolgerung

🇮🇩 inferensi

🇺🇦 висновок

🇵🇱 wnioskowanie

🇯🇵 推論 (すいろん)

🇫🇷 inférence

🇪🇸 inferencia

🇹🇷 çıkarım

🇰🇷 추론 (chulon)

🇸🇦 استدلال

🇨🇿 inference

🇸🇰 inferencia

🇨🇳 推论 (tuīlùn)

🇸🇮 inferenca

🇮🇸 ályktun

🇰🇿 қорытынды

🇬🇪 ინფერენცია

🇦🇿 nəticə

🇲🇽 inferencia

Etymology

The word 'inference' has its roots in the Latin word 'inferre', which means 'to bring in' or 'to carry forward'. The concept of making inferences has been fundamental in various fields, including logic, literature, and science. Inferences play a crucial role in human cognition and problem-solving, allowing individuals to draw conclusions based on available information and reasoning.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,389 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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5386 coil
5387 believing
5388 reservation
5389 inference
5390 advisory
5391 inputs
5392 spinal
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