guess
10 synonyms and 0 antonyms for guess, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To form an answer or opinion without being sure it's correct.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use guess
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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.
Full origin of guess →Frequently asked questions
What does “guess” mean?
The word “guess” means to form an answer or opinion without being sure it's correct. In plain terms, to give an answer without knowing for sure, or that unsure answer itself.
How do you pronounce “guess”?
“Guess” is pronounced gehs (/ɡɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “guess” in a sentence?
Here is “guess” used in a sentence: “I guessed the password on my third try.”
What is another word for “guess”?
Words with a similar meaning to “guess” include assume, conjecture, hypothesize, speculate, suppose and surmise.
What part of speech is “guess”?
Depending on how it is used, “guess” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “guess” come from?
The word “guess” comes from Middle English. 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.
Is “guess” a common word?
“Guess” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “guess” have?
“Guess” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to form an answer or opinion without being sure it's correct.
What is the difference between a guess and an estimate?
A guess is an answer formed with little or no evidence — you simply aren't sure it's right. An estimate uses some information or calculation to make an informed approximation. Pacing out a room to judge its size is estimating; blindly picking a number out of the air is guessing.
What is the difference between 'guess' and 'assume'?
To guess is to venture an answer you know might be wrong. To assume is to take something as true and act on it, often without questioning it. A guess is tentative and openly uncertain; an assumption is treated as fact until something proves it otherwise. The confidence level is the key difference.
What is the difference between guessing and knowing?
Knowing means you have the facts and can be confident you're right. Guessing means forming an answer without that certainty — you might land on the truth, but you can't be sure. The gap between them is evidence: knowledge rests on it, while a guess does without it entirely.
What is an example of guessing?
Picking an answer on a test you didn't study for is guessing. So is saying 'I'd guess she's about thirty' without knowing her age, or trying to name a song from a single note. In each case you offer an answer without being sure it's correct — the essence of a guess.