English Explanatory Dictionary

infer

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb

To introduce (something) as a reasoned conclusion; to conclude by reasoning or deduction, as from premises or evidence.
To lead to (something) as a consequence; to imply.
To cause, inflict (something) upon or to someone.
To introduce (a subject) in speaking, writing etc.; to bring in, to adduce.

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈfɜː/ /ɪnˈfɝ/ en-us-infer.ogg /ɪnˈfɛr/ /ənˈføː/ /ɪnˈfeː/ /ɪnˈfɛː/ /ɪnˈfɜː(ɹ)/

Word forms

infer infers inferring inferred

Etymology

From Latin inferō, from Latin in- (“in, at, on; into”) + Latin ferō (“bear, carry; suffer”) (cognate to Old English beran, whence English bear), from Proto-Italic *ferō, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti (“to bear, carry”), from the root *bʰer-. Literally “carry forward”, equivalent to “bear in”, as in concluding from a premise. Doublet of inbear.

Synonyms

conclude deduce educe construe imply suggest entail

Related words

-ferous illation illative

Derived words

inferability inferable inference inferrable inferral inferrer misinfer reinfer subinfer uninferant

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