infer

verb

in·​fer in-ˈfər 

inferred; inferring

transitive verb

1

: to reach as a conclusion based on facts or premises

We see smoke and infer fire …

—L. A. White

—often used with from or that

The date of a building's destruction could be inferred from the maturity and diversity of the weeds, flowers, and trees growing through its ruins.

—Daisy Hildyard

compare imply

2

: guess, surmise

Your letter … allows me to infer that you are as well as ever …

—Oliver Wendell Holmes †1935

3

a

: to involve as a normal outcome of thought

Sentences and even single words may infer a question, a moment, that is capable of shifting how we think …

—Janice Galloway

b

: to point out : indicate

… this doth infer the zeal I had to see him.

—William Shakespeare

another survey … infers that two-thirds of all present computer installations are not paying for themselves

—H. R. Chellman

4

: suggest, hint

Are you inferring I'm incompetent?

intransitive verb

: to draw inferences

Men … have observed, inferred, and reasoned … to all kinds of results.

—John Dewey

inferable adjective

or less commonly inferrible

in-ˈfər-ə-bəl 

inferrer

in-ˈfər-ər 

noun

Infer vs. Imply: Usage Guide

The use of infer to mean "suggest, hint" is commonly identified as an error for imply, especially when used with a human subject. Sentences like "They infer that it can't be done" and "Are you inferring that I'm at fault?" are, by this thinking, correctly rendered as "They imply that it can't be done" and "Are you implying that I am at fault?" In truth, the meanings of infer and imply have overlapped since the 16th century, making the need for a distinction a matter of preference. Those who wish to honor the distinction will limit their use of infer to its meanings relating to reaching conclusions and surmising or guessing, as in "Based on these facts we can infer certain conclusions"; they will avoid even the "to involve as a normal outcome of thought" and "point out, indicate" meanings.

Synonyms of infer

• derive
• understand
• decide

Choose the Right Synonym for infer

infer, deduce, conclude, judge, gather mean to arrive at a mental conclusion.

infer implies arriving at a conclusion by reasoning from evidence; if the evidence is slight, the term comes close to surmise.

from that remark, I inferred that they knew each other

deduce often adds to infer the special implication of drawing a particular inference from a generalization.

denied we could deduce anything important from human mortality

conclude implies arriving at a necessary inference at the end of a chain of reasoning.

concluded that only the accused could be guilty

judge stresses a weighing of the evidence on which a conclusion is based.

judge people by their actions

gather suggests an intuitive forming of a conclusion from implications.

gathered their desire to be alone without a word

Examples of infer in a Sentence

May I remark here that although I seem to infer that private communication is an unholy mess of grammatical barbarism,  … such is not my intent … —V. Louise Higgins, "Approaching Usage in the Classroom," English Journal,  March 1960

… I infer that Swinburne found an adequate outlet for the creative impulse in his poetry … —T. S. Eliot, The Sacred Wood, 1920

Lucy … reseated herself with an alacrity and cheerfulness which seemed to infer that she could taste no greater delight … —Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, 1811

It's difficult to infer how these changes will affect ordinary citizens.

Recent Examples on the Web

An order requiring the performance of a military duty or act may be inferred to be lawful and it is disobeyed at the peril of the subordinate. —Christa Swanson, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2025

Finally, the simulations show only the strongest, localized parts of the shock front actually produce most of the radio emission, so the low average strengths inferred from X-rays are no threat to the underlying physics after all. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 21 Nov. 2025

The authors argue the evidence now meets most of the scientific criteria used to infer causation, meaning policymakers should act even as research continues. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 20 Nov. 2025

The team then ran a phylogenetic analysis, which allows scientists to infer information about traits in extinct species based on behavioral data from living animals. —Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 19 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French inferer, from Latin inferre, literally, to carry or bring into, from in- + ferre to carry — more at bear

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for infer

• chauffeur
• cockspur
• concur
• confer
• defer
• demur
• deter
• hotspur
• incur
• inter
• jagir
• larkspur

Kids Definition

infer

verb

in·​fer in-ˈfər 

inferred; inferring

1

: to arrive at as a conclusion

2

: guess entry 1 sense 1, surmise

3

: imply sense 2

inferable

-ə-bəl

adjective

Legal Definition

infer

verb

in·​fer in-ˈfər 

inferred; inferring

transitive verb

: to derive as a conclusion from facts or premises

could infer acceptance of the offer from the offeree's response

intransitive verb

: to draw inferences

inferable adjective

also inferrible

in-ˈfər-ə-bəl