First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1guess
verb \ˈges\
: to form an opinion or give an answer about something when you do not know much or anything about it
: to guess (something) correctly : to make a correct conclusion about (someone or something) by chance
: to suppose or think (something)
Full Definition of GUESS
transitive verb
1
: to form an opinion of from little or no evidence
3
: to arrive at a correct conclusion about by conjecture, chance, or intuition <guess the answer>
intransitive verb
: to make a guess
— guess·able \ˈge-sə-bəl\ adjective
— guess·er noun
See guess defined for English-language learners
See guess defined for kids
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Origin of GUESS
Middle English gessen, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian & Swedish gissa to guess, Middle Dutch gissen, gessen, Old Norse geta to get, guess — more at get
Related to GUESS
2guess
noun
: an attempt to give an opinion or answer about something when you do not know much about it or are not sure about it
Full Definition of GUESS
See guess defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of GUESS
14th century
Related to GUESS
- Synonyms
- conjecture, shot, supposition, surmise
GUESS Defined for Kids
1guess
verb \ˈges\
guessedguess·ing
Definition of GUESS for Kids
1
: to form an opinion or give an answer about from little or no information <Guess what I got for my birthday.>
2
: to solve correctly mainly by chance <I guessed the riddle.>
2guess
noun
Definition of GUESS for Kids
: an opinion or answer that is reached with little information or by chance
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