Inference
noun /ˈɪnfərəns/ — A conclusion drawn from evidence — the step beyond what is stated into what must be true.
Definition
A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning; the process of reaching such a conclusion; a thing inferred.
Beyond the definition
Inference is the mind doing the work that explicit statement doesn't do — it draws the conclusion from the evidence, goes the step beyond what is said. Good inference is the hallmark of sharp thinking; inference beyond the evidence is the beginning of error.
Origin & history
From Latin inferre — to bring in (in: in + ferre: to carry). Carrying in — the inference is what the evidence carries in, the implication brought through by the facts.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The inference was clear from the data — they didn't need to say it.
She made inferences quickly, which was an asset when they were right and a problem when they weren't.
The doctor's inference: all the symptoms pointed somewhere specific, even if none of them was conclusive.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Inference” when the meaning fits your context: A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning; the process of reaching such a conclusion; a thing inferred.
Synonyms
conclusion, deduction, implication, reading, interpretation
Antonyms
assumption, supposition, guess
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Studying Unfamiliar Ancient Traces
An archaeologist uses a magnifying glass to compare an abstract, spiral-carved seal with other geometric artifacts on their desk.
The archaeologist’s careful study of abstract, unfamiliar shapes on the tablet represents the process of inference. By using the magnifying glass to examine the evidence, they draw conclusions about the object's meaning based on the traces and reasoning available to them.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Inference" mean?
Inference is noun meaning: A conclusion drawn from evidence — the step beyond what is stated into what must be true.. A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning; the process of reaching such a conclusion; a thing inferred.
Where does the word "Inference" come from?
From Latin inferre — to bring in (in: in + ferre: to carry). Carrying in — the inference is what the evidence carries in, the implication brought through by the facts.