verb

guess

gehs

verb

To form an answer or opinion without being sure it's correct.

"I guessed the password on my third try."

"Can you guess how old she is?"

To suppose or think something is probably true.

"I guess we should leave soon if we want to beat the traffic."

noun

An answer or opinion given without certain knowledge.

"That's just a guess, but I'd say around fifty people showed up."

How to Use Guess

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo give an answer without knowing for sure, or that unsure answer itself.

Common pairings

take a guess guess correctly best guess guess what

Word Forms

guessed past tense, guess plural, guessed plural, guesses plural, guesses singular, guess singular, guessed singular, guessest singular, guessedst singular, guesseth singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

I _____ the password on my third try.

Etymology

From Middle English gessen, likely of Scandinavian origin, related to Old Norse words for "to get" or "to seize" — the idea of grabbing at an answer.

Synonyms

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assume conjecture hypothesize speculate suppose surmise take a stab

Related Words

assume conjecture surmise suppose supposition quantify speculate

Rhymes for guess

marquess

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