guess
gehs
Guess (verb) means to form an answer or opinion without being sure it's correct. Example: “I guessed the password on my third try.”
verb
1
To form an answer or opinion without being sure it's correct.
"I guessed the password on my third try."
"Can you guess how old she is?"
"Nobody could guess what was inside the wrapped box."
2
To suppose or think something is probably true.
"I guess we should leave soon if we want to beat the traffic."
"I guess it will rain later, judging by those dark clouds."
"She guessed that he was tired because he kept yawning."
noun
1
An answer or opinion given without certain knowledge.
"That's just a guess, but I'd say around fifty people showed up."
"My guess is that the shop closes earlier on Sundays."
"Take a guess at how many sweets are in the jar."
How to use guess
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo give an answer without knowing for sure, or that unsure answer itself.
Common pairings
take a guess
guess correctly
best guess
guess what
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Word forms
- Plural
- guesses
- Third person singular
- guesses
- Past tense
- guessed
- Archaic forms
- guessest, guessedst, guesseth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I _____ the password on my third try.
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.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for guess
See all rhymes for 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.
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