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noun C2 Proficient Uncommon

conjecture

kuhn-JEHK-chuh

Conjecture (noun) means a guess or opinion formed without solid proof. Example: “It's pure conjecture at this point who will win the leadership race.”

noun
1
A guess or opinion formed without solid proof.
"It's pure conjecture at this point who will win the leadership race."
verb
1
To guess or form an opinion without full proof.
"Scientists conjectured that the crater was formed by an ancient asteroid impact."

How to use conjecture

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn educated guess, or the act of making one.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
pure conjecture open to conjecture conjecture about

Word forms

conjectured past tense, conjectures plural, conjectures singular

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Test yourself on “conjecture” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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Can you complete this real example?

It's pure _____ at this point who will win the leadership race.

Etymology

From Latin coniectura, "a guess", from conicere, "to throw together" — from con- + iacere ("to throw"), the same root as "eject" and "project".

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for conjecture

See all rhymes for conjecture →

Frequently asked questions

What does “conjecture” mean?

The word “conjecture” means a guess or opinion formed without solid proof. In plain terms, an educated guess, or the act of making one.

How do you pronounce “conjecture”?

“Conjecture” is pronounced kuhn-JEHK-chuh (/kənˈd͡ʒɛk.t͡ʃɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “conjecture” in a sentence?

Here is “conjecture” used in a sentence: “It's pure conjecture at this point who will win the leadership race.”

What part of speech is “conjecture”?

Depending on how it is used, “conjecture” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “conjecture” come from?

The word “conjecture” comes from Latin. From Latin coniectura, "a guess", from conicere, "to throw together" — from con- + iacere ("to throw"), the same root as "eject" and "project".

Is “conjecture” a common word?

“Conjecture” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.

How many meanings does “conjecture” have?

“Conjecture” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a guess or opinion formed without solid proof.

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