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guesswork

guesswork

20 4.2
An answer made without enough facts
  • noun
  • /ˈɡɛsˌwɜrk/
translation icon : suposición
  • By involving your community, you take the guesswork out of what your users want and need.
  • a lot of guesswork
  • much of the guesswork

That just takes all the guesswork out of learning how to cook.

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Examples

  • That just takes all the guesswork out of learning how to cook.

  • We need a process that eliminates the guesswork in our teaching.

    Academic text (1997)
  • A lot of time and guesswork can be saved.

  • I did a little bit of guesswork in going from here to here.

  • And all of this guesswork makes failure near certain.

  • Using a clearly defined plan takes the guesswork out of changing your body.

    Blog text (8)
  • New analysis software packages take much of the guesswork out of simple computer simulations.

    Academic text (2001)
  • While these data are highly aggregated and necessarily involve some guesswork, few economists would question the picture they paint.

    Academic text (2018)
  • Using an EBP can help eliminate many of the frustrations and guesswork from teaching by providing specific approaches for improving student performance.

    Academic text (2014)
  • The new app removes the guesswork from finding the best route to work.

Synonyms

guess
vsguesswork
768 1.0

An answer or opinion made without enough information

is the ongoing process behind such answers rather than a single instance
estimate
vsguesswork
370 2.6

A rough calculation of a number, amount or size

relies more on conjecture rather than measured or precise data
speculation
vsguesswork
288 4.8

A guess or idea made without enough proof

focuses on forming opinions as a process, not proposing wide theories
estimation
vsguesswork
15 3.4

A rough calculation of how much or how many something is

refers to the broader process of forming opinions without full information
surmise
vsguesswork
3 7.9

An idea based on little evidence

is the general process that often relies on this limited evidence
guessing
vsguesswork
1 1.6

Forming an idea without enough information

is the ongoing process of forming such opinions rather than one act

Antonyms

1.0

Something that can be shown to be true, not an opinion

certainty
  • Literature
202 3.4

A strong feeling that something is true or will happen

How Certain

theory
3.2
hypothesis
138 6.1
guesswork
20 4.2
conjecture
43 7.8
speculation
288 4.8

Surface Forms

guesswork singular
guessworks plural

Morphology

guesswork = guess + work (transparent) = guess + work

A straightforward compound where 'work' denotes an activity and 'guess' names the type of activity, so 'guesswork' = the activity of guessing.

Etymology

Guesswork is simply the two words guess and work put together, so think of it as the 'work' of making 'guesses'. That's why guesswork means an opinion or estimate made without enough facts.