noun
heuristic
hyoo-RIS-tik
Heuristic (noun) means a practical rule of thumb that lets someone reach a workable answer quickly, without guaranteeing it is the best one. Example: “A useful heuristic is to assume any task will take twice as long as you think.”
noun
1
A practical rule of thumb that lets someone reach a workable answer quickly, without guaranteeing it is the best one.
"A useful heuristic is to assume any task will take twice as long as you think."
"Investors lean on heuristics because they cannot analyse every option."
adjective
1
Using trial, experience and approximation to find a good-enough solution rather than working through every possibility.
"The router uses a heuristic algorithm to pick a route in milliseconds."
2
formal Encouraging people to learn by investigating and discovering things for themselves.
"The course takes a heuristic approach, giving students problems before methods."
How to use heuristic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rough rule that usually gets you a good enough answer fast.
When to use it
Formal and academic, but common in design, computing and business writing.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
useful heuristic
heuristic approach
availability heuristic
heuristic evaluation
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A useful _____ is to assume any task will take twice as long as you think.
Etymology
From Greek heuriskein 'to find, discover', the same root as eureka.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for heuristic
holistic
sadistic
artistic
autistic
logistic
statistic
realistic
ballistic
hedonistic
linguistic
futuristic
optimistic
See all rhymes for heuristic →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a heuristic and an algorithm?
An algorithm follows fixed steps and, if correct, always produces the right answer. A heuristic trades that guarantee for speed: it usually gets close enough, but it can fail. Chess engines use both, an exact search where it is affordable and heuristics elsewhere.
What is a heuristic in psychology?
A mental shortcut people use to judge situations quickly, such as assuming something is common because examples come easily to mind. These shortcuts work well most of the time but produce predictable biases.
How do you pronounce heuristic?
hyoo-RIS-tik, with the stress on the second syllable. The h is pronounced, and the start rhymes with the beginning of human.
What is the meaning of heuristic?
"heuristic" (noun) means a practical rule of thumb that lets someone reach a workable answer quickly, without guaranteeing it is the best one.
