Entry Word: infer

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to form an opinion through reasoning and information <he inferred that she had left because her coat was gone>

Synonyms conclude, deduce, extrapolate, gather, judge, reason, understand

Related Words conjecture, guess, speculate, surmise; construe, interpret; contemplate, rationalize, think; ascertain, dope (out), find out

Phrases draw a conclusion

2 to convey an idea indirectly <the results infer that there might be a problem with one piece of the equipment> — see hint