English Dictionary
Definition of “infer”
infer (ɪnˈfɜː
)
Definitions
verb
(when tr, may take a clause as object) - to conclude (a state of affairs, supposition, etc) by reasoning from evidence; deduce
- (tr) to have or lead to as a necessary or logical consequence; indicate
- (tr) to hint or imply
Alternative Forms
inˈferable inˈferible inˈferrable inˈferrible adjective inˈferably adverb inˈferrer noun Word Origin
C16: from Latin inferre to bring into, from ferre to bear, carry
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
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deduce,
understand,
gather,
conclude,
derive,
presume,
conjecture,
surmise,
read between the lines,
put two and two together,
Usage examples
The idea is not yet outmoded: I infer the Americans expect to enrich themselves rebuilding Iraq, for example.
Amanda Hemingway, THE GREENSTONE GRAIL: The Sangreal Trilogy One (2004)The researchers then used a clever mathematical model to infer what had happened in the past to produce the pattern of languages seen today.
New Scientist (2003)Mr Goodman said that at no time did the RACT infer that the accident was due to road improvements it had called for not being carried out.
The Mercury, Sunday Tasmanian (2004)In his closing speech, the QC urged the jury not to infer "any lack of courage" from Archer's refusal to give evidence in his defence.
Sun, News of the World (2001)One could not, and should not, infer from the decline in church attendance that people lack interest in spiritual things.
George Carey, KNOW THE TRUTH (2004)
