DictionaryAI

guess

GES/ɡɛs/

Verbguesses, guessing, guessed

Noun pluralguesses

5 meanings of guess

Practice

  1. 1
    I thinkverbinformaltransitive
    To think or suppose something. People often say 'I guess' when they are not completely sure.

    I guess she already left for work.

    I guess you are right about the weather.

    UsageShort answers: I guess so and I guess not. It can also end a sentence: you're right, I guess.

    Note
  2. 2
    conclude without factsverbtransitive or intransitive
    To form an opinion about something when you are not sure it is right.

    Like picking a number without looking: you might be right, but you cannot be sure.

    Try to guess how many candies are in the jar.

    She just guessed, since she had no real information.

    UsageSay guess at something, or guess that something is true.

    Similarspeculate, conjecture

  3. 3
    nouncountable
    An answer or idea you give when you are not sure it is right.

    Like throwing a dart at a board with your eyes closed.

    My guess is that the bus comes at nine.

    It was only a guess, so do not count on it.

    UsageSay take a guess or my guess is that the bus is late.

    Similarestimate, prediction, hypothesis

    Note
  4. 4
    verbtransitive
    To give the right answer even though you did not know it for sure.

    Like opening a lock by trying the right number right away.

    Can you guess my password?

    She guessed the answer on her first try.

    UsagePeople say Guess what! before telling news.

    Similarsolve

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 5
    verbobsolete
    To remember something correctly and bring it back to mind.
    Tell me their words, as near as thou canst guess them.
    c. 1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”Here, guess means to remember something correctly.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English, probably from a North Germanic word meaning "to guess." It goes back to an old root meaning "to get" or "to take, seize."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

  • Guess comes from Middle English. en.wiktionary.org
  • Its Middle English predecessor probably came from a North Germanic word meaning “to guess.” en.wiktionary.org
  • Its ancestry includes roots meaning “to get” and “to take, seize.” en.wiktionary.org