inference

[in-fer-uhns, -fruhns]

noun

1. the act or process of inferring.

2. something that is inferred.

   to make rash inferences.

3. Logic.

   1. the process of deriving the strict logical consequences of assumed premises.

   2. the process of arriving at some conclusion that, though it is not logically derivable from the assumed premises, possesses some degree of probability relative to the premises.

   3. a proposition reached by a process of inference.

inference

/ ˈɪnfərəns, -frəns /

noun

1. the act or process of inferring

2. an inferred conclusion, deduction, etc

3. any process of reasoning from premises to a conclusion

4. logic the specific mode of reasoning used See also deduction induction

inference

1. In logic, the deriving of one idea from another. Inference can proceed through either induction or deduction.

Other Word Forms

• misinference noun
• preinference noun
• superinference noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inference¹

From the Medieval Latin word inferentia, dating back to 1585–95. See infer, -ence

Idioms and Phrases

see draw an inference.

Example Sentences

The commission said this was "a salient reminder to the commission not to jump to conclusions and the dangers of drawing adverse inferences from events unknown".

From BBC

Hawley has a penchant for poetic concepts, literary references, political inferences and out-of-the-mainstream ideas that may not always make perfect sense, but his ambition shows through.

From Los Angeles Times

One by one they lined up to talk about how they hadn't yet delivered their best stuff, the inference being that was coming in Sydney, history made with a flourish in the final Test.

From BBC

The inference was that the US president was the problem.

From BBC

His barrister said he had a right to silence in police interviews and it was "left hanging", allowing the jury to draw an adverse inference.

From BBC

Related Words

• assumption 
• conjecture 
• interpretation 
• presumption 
• reasoning 
• supposition