infer

verb

Sayin-FUR/ɪnˈfɝ/UK · AUS/ɪnˈfɜː/

Formsinfers, inferring, inferred

Often confused with imply

4 meanings of infer

1
verbtransitive
To work out a fact or idea from clues or evidence instead of being told it directly.
Like guessing what a wrapped gift is by shaking the box and feeling its weight.
From the muddy footprints, detectives infer the thief's escape route.
She inferred his mood from the tone of his short reply.
Similarconclude, deduce
Note
2
verbtransitive
To point to something as likely true without stating it openly.
Like a road sign that points the way without spelling out every word.
His long silence seemed to infer agreement with the plan.
The dark clouds inferred a coming storm.
Similarimply, suggest, entail
Note
3
verbobsolete
To bring a subject into a conversation or piece of writing.
Full well hath Clifford played the orator, / Inferring arguments of mighty force.
c. 1591, William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt,”Here, inferring means bringing up or presenting arguments in speech.
Note

Less common meaning

4
verbobsolete
To bring harm or suffering upon someone.
Note

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Origin

From Latin inferō, made from in- ("in, into") plus ferō ("to carry"). It literally meant "carry forward".