conjecture - Definition | Dictionary definition of conjecture

Definition of conjecture

a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)

"he dismissed it as mere conjecture"

Type of:: hypothesis, possibility, theory
a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena

a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

Type of:: opinion, view
a message expressing a belief about something; the expression of a belief that is held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof

reasoning that involves the formation of conclusions from incomplete evidence

Types:: show 5 types...; hide 5 types...; theorisation, theorization
the production or use of theories; ideology
imaginary or visionary theorization; abstraction, generalisation, generalization
the process of formulating general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances; supposal, supposition
the cognitive process of supposing; presupposition
the act of presupposing; a supposition made prior to having knowledge (as for the purpose of argument)

Type of:: abstract thought, logical thinking, reasoning
thinking that is coherent and logical

to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds

Synonyms:: hypothecate, hypothesise, hypothesize, speculate, suppose, theorise, theorize

Types:: show 5 types...; hide 5 types...; construct, reconstruct, retrace
reassemble mentally; etymologise, etymologize
construct the history of words; develop, explicate, formulate
elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses; mature
develop and work out fully in one's mind; redevelop, reformulate
formulate or develop again, of an improved theory or hypothesis