deduce

dih-JOOS

Deduce (verb) means to work out a conclusion through logical reasoning based on known facts or evidence. Example: “From the muddy footprints, the detective deduced that the intruder had come through the garden.”

verb

To work out a conclusion through logical reasoning based on known facts or evidence.

"From the muddy footprints, the detective deduced that the intruder had come through the garden."

"Scientists deduced the planet's composition from its light spectrum."

How to use deduce

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo figure something out logically from clues or evidence already known.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "deduct," which means to subtract or take away, usually money.

Easily confused with

deduct → induce →

Common pairings

deduce from evidence able to deduce logically deduce

Word forms

deduced past tense, deduce plural, deduced plural, deduces singular, deduce singular, deduced singular, deducest singular, deducedst singular, deduceth singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

From the muddy footprints, the detective _____ that the intruder had come through the garden.

Etymology

From Latin dēdūcere ("to lead away, derive"), from dē- ("from, away") + dūcere ("to lead").

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for deduce

luce duce deuce sauce truce Bruce reduce spruce seduce induce produce lettuce

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Frequently asked questions

What does “deduce” mean?

The word “deduce” means to work out a conclusion through logical reasoning based on known facts or evidence. In plain terms, to figure something out logically from clues or evidence already known.

How do you pronounce “deduce”?

“Deduce” is pronounced dih-JOOS (/dɪˈdus/ in IPA).

How do you use “deduce” in a sentence?

Here is “deduce” used in a sentence: “From the muddy footprints, the detective deduced that the intruder had come through the garden.”

What part of speech is “deduce”?

“Deduce” is a verb.

Where does the word “deduce” come from?

The word “deduce” comes from Latin. From Latin dēdūcere ("to lead away, derive"), from dē- ("from, away") + dūcere ("to lead").

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