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infer

verb

/ɪnˈfəː/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of infer

To make an educated guess or conclusion based on available information or evidence.
"I can infer from her reaction that she was surprised by the news."

Detailed meaning of infer

When you infer something, you are using your reasoning skills to draw a conclusion that is not explicitly stated or proven. It involves examining the available facts and using them to reach a logical conclusion or interpretation. For example, if you see someone shivering and wearing a coat, you can infer that they are feeling cold. Inference is an important cognitive skill that allows us to fill in gaps in our understanding and make sense of the world around us. However, it is important to note that inferences may not always be accurate and can be influenced by our biases and assumptions. Therefore, it is essential to base our inferences on sound evidence and critical thinking.

Example sentences containing infer

1. Based on the evidence presented, I can infer that she is unhappy.
2. It is difficult to infer the meaning of the text without any context.
3. We can infer from his tone of voice that he was angry.
4. The detective was able to infer the suspect's motive for the crime.
5. You cannot infer that all cats are lazy just because one cat was sleeping.
6. The scientists were able to infer the age of the fossils using carbon dating.

History and etymology of infer

The verb 'infer' has its etymological roots in Latin. It comes from the Latin word 'inferre,' which means 'to bring in' or 'to carry in.' In this context, 'inferre' was used to convey the idea of drawing a conclusion or making an educated guess by bringing together various pieces of information or evidence. As the word transitioned into Middle English and later into modern English, it retained its fundamental sense of deriving meaning or conclusions from available information. Therefore, when we 'infer' something, we are metaphorically 'bringing in' or 'carrying in' our understanding based on the evidence at hand. The etymology of 'infer' highlights its role in the process of logical deduction and reasoning.

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Further usage examples of infer

1. It is not always safe to infer someone's intentions without first asking them.
2. We can infer from his lack of response that he did not agree with our proposal.
3. The lawyer tried to infer the witness's true feelings by asking probing questions.
4. We cannot infer that the product is of good quality based solely on its price.
5. The teacher asked the students to infer the author's message from the story.
6. From the available evidence, we can reasonably infer his intentions.
7. She can accurately infer the answer from the surrounding context.
8. To infer the meaning, carefully analyze the text's surrounding context.
9. Based on the comprehensive data, we can confidently infer a prevailing trend.
10. Scientists can reliably infer valuable insights from the experimental results.
11. Can you accurately infer the root cause of the ongoing problem?
12. They skillfully infer a deep-seated connection between these events.
13. Lawyers often expertly infer motives from observed behaviors.
14. Infer the profound message conveyed by the intricate artwork.
15. From the detailed map, we can confidently infer the most efficient route.
16. Can you accurately infer the speaker's underlying tone from their words?
17. It's entirely plausible to infer a consistent pattern from this information.
18. Historians meticulously infer historical insights from carefully preserved documents.
19. We can confidently infer the product's exceptional quality from these reviews.
20. Infer the optimal solution by synthesizing the available information.
21. Detectives adeptly infer crucial clues from the complex crime scene.
22. From his consistent actions, we can reliably infer his genuine feelings.
23. Can you confidently infer the far-reaching implications of this decision?
24. They adeptly infer a complex interplay between these variables.
25. Infer the cause-effect relationship inherent in this comprehensive dataset.