guess

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: conjecturesuppositionsurmisesurmisalspeculationhypothesisguessworkguessingshotdead reckoningthinkopine

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidenceSynonyms: conjecturesuppositionsurmisesurmisalspeculationhypothesis
  2. an estimate based on little or no informationSynonyms: guessworkguessingshotdead reckoning

Verb (4)

  1. expect, believe, or suppose“I imagine she earned a lot of money with her new novel”“I thought to find her in a bad state”“he didn't think to find her in the kitchen”“I guess she is angry at me for standing her up”Synonyms: thinkopinesupposeimaginereckon
  2. put forward, of a guess, in spite of possible refutation“I am guessing that the price of real estate will rise again”“I cannot pretend to say that you are wrong”Synonyms: venturepretendhazard
  3. judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)“I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds”Synonyms: estimategaugeapproximatejudge
  4. guess correctly; solve by guessing“He guessed the right number of beans in the jar and won the prize”Synonyms: infer
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Guess \Guess\ (g[e^]s), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Guessed; p. pr. & vb. n. Guessing.] [OE. gessen; akin to Dan. gisse, Sw. gissa, Icel. gizha, D. gissen: cf. Dan. giette to guess, Icel. geta to get, to guess. Probably originally, to try to get, and akin to E. get. See Get.]

1.To form an opinion concerning, without knowledge or means of knowledge; to judge of at random; to conjecture. [1913 Webster]

First, if thou canst, the harder reason guess.— Pope.[1913 Webster]

2.To judge or form an opinion of, from reasons that seem preponderating, but are not decisive. [1913 Webster]

We may then guess how far it was from his design.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
Of ambushed men, whom, by their arms and dress, To be Taxallan enemies I guess.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

3.To solve by a correct conjecture; to conjecture rightly; as, he who guesses the riddle shall have the ring; he has guessed my designs. [1913 Webster]

4.To hit upon or reproduce by memory. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Tell me their words, as near as thou canst guess them.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

5.To think; to suppose; to believe; to imagine; -- followed by an objective clause. [1913 Webster]

Not all together; better far, I guess, That we do make our entrance several ways.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
But in known images of life I guess The labor greater.— Pope.

Syn: To conjecture; suppose; surmise; suspect; divine; think; imagine; fancy.

Usage: To Guess, Think, Reckon. Guess denotes, to attempt to hit upon at random; as, to guess at a thing when blindfolded; to conjecture or form an opinion on hidden or very slight grounds: as, to guess a riddle; to guess out the meaning of an obscure passage. The use of the word guess for think or believe, although abundantly sanctioned by good English authors, is now regarded as antiquated and objectionable by discriminating writers. It may properly be branded as a colloguialism and vulgarism when used respecting a purpose or a thing about which there is no uncertainty; as, I guess I 'll go to bed. [1913 Webster]

Guess \Guess\, v. i. To make a guess or random judgment; to conjecture; -- with at, about, etc. [1913 Webster]

This is the place, as well as I may guess. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Guess \Guess\, n. An opinion as to anything, formed without sufficient or decisive evidence or grounds; an attempt to hit upon the truth by a random judgment; a conjecture; a surmise. [1913 Webster]

A poet must confess His art 's like physic -- but a happy guess. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

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