a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
"After hearing just one rumor, she made a guess that their new project would fail before it even launched."
an estimate based on little or no information
"After looking at the blurry photo, I made a wild guess that the stranger was wearing a red hat."
A prediction about the outcome of something, typically made without factual evidence or support.
"After weeks of silence from the judge, I'm just guessing that the verdict will come down in our favor."
In plain English: A guess is an answer you give when you don't have enough information to know the truth for sure.
"I made an educated guess that the meeting would start late."
Usage: Use "guess" as a noun to refer to an estimate or prediction made without definite knowledge, such as when someone asks for your best shot at answering a question. It often functions as a countable item in phrases like "take a guess" or "make a guess."
judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)
"I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds"
To reach a partly (or totally) unqualified conclusion.
"After reviewing the scattered notes, I can only guess that the project failed due to miscommunication between the teams."
In plain English: To guess means to try to figure out something without having all the facts.
"Can you guess what time the movie starts?"
Usage: Use "guess" when forming an opinion or making a choice based on limited information rather than facts. It implies uncertainty and suggests that the result may not be accurate.
The word "guess" comes from the Old Norse verb meaning "to guess," which itself is related to a root meaning "to take or seize." It traveled into English through Middle Danish and Middle English forms before becoming our modern term.