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Inferential: meaning, definitions and examples

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inferential

 

[ ɪnˈfɛrənʃəl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

logical reasoning

Inferential relates to the act or process of drawing conclusions based on evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements. It often involves making educated guesses or assumptions based on available information and is widely used in research and scientific inquiry. In the context of statistics, inferential methods enable one to make predictions or generalizations about a population based on a sample. Thus, inferential reasoning allows for the expansion of knowledge through deduction and inference.

Synonyms

deductive, implied, inferable.

Examples of usage

  • Inferential statistics help us understand sample data.
  • The inferential reasoning in his argument was compelling.
  • We use inferential approaches to predict future trends.

Translations

Translations of the word "inferential" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inferencial

🇮🇳 अनुमानात्मक

🇩🇪 inferenzielle

🇮🇩 inferensial

🇺🇦 інференційний

🇵🇱 inferencyjny

🇯🇵 推論的な

🇫🇷 inférentiel

🇪🇸 inferencial

🇹🇷 çıkarımsal

🇰🇷 추론의

🇸🇦 استنتاجي

🇨🇿 inferenční

🇸🇰 inferenčný

🇨🇳 推论的

🇸🇮 inferenčen

🇮🇸 íhlutandi

🇰🇿 инференциялық

🇬🇪 ინფერენციული

🇦🇿 infrensial

🇲🇽 inferencial

Etymology

The term 'inferential' originates from the Latin word 'inferre', which means 'to carry in', 'to bring in', or 'to deduce'. 'Inferre' is a combination of the prefix 'in-', meaning 'into', and 'ferre', which means 'to bear' or 'to carry'. The transition to English saw the adaptation of this term through Old French influences. 'Infer' began to take on a specialized meaning in the realm of logic and reasoning, forming the basis for inferential reasoning that is integral to various domains, including philosophy, science, and mathematics. The usage of 'inferential' in English has expanded over time, particularly in the fields of statistics and research methodology where the capacity to make generalizations based on specific samples became crucial for data analysis. Today, inferential methods are essential in drawing conclusions beyond immediate data, influencing critical thinking and decision-making processes.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,078, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.