WordGarden.iosurmise
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /sɜːˈmaɪz/countableuncountablenoun
US
- /sərˈmaɪz/
Meanings
Verb
to guess or infer something from limited evidence
Noun
a guess or conclusion formed without full proof
Beyond the definition
To surmise something is to make a guess based on limited information. It is not the same as knowing; it means you are starting to believe something without full proof. Imagine you walk into a room and smell cookies baking; you might surmise that someone is home. Or if a friend seems unusually quiet, you might surmise that something is bothering them. Unlike a firm conclusion, a surmise leaves room for doubt - maybe the cookies were baked earlier, or your friend is just tired. It is a quiet way of reading the signs and making a thoughtful guess.
The word "surmise" describes a belief formed without firm evidence. It's more than a random guess; it's an inference drawn from clues, hints, or circumstantial evidence. Think of a detective piecing together fragments of information at a crime scene - they might surmise the motive based on what they find, but they need further proof to confirm their theory.
"Surmise" often implies a degree of uncertainty. You don't know something when you surmise it; you suspect or believe it's likely true. It carries a slightly formal tone and is frequently used in contexts involving mysteries, investigations, or subtle observations. For example: "Based on the evidence, detectives could only surmise that the victim knew her attacker."
So, when you surmise something, you are moving into the realm of possibility, making an educated guess based on what you notice, while still accepting that you may need more evidence to know for sure.
Examples
- 1
Everyday suspicion
I surmised that something was wrong when she stopped answering my messages.
- 2
Evidence
From the footprints in the snow, the police surmised that two people had entered the cabin.
- Patternsurmise from + evidence
form a conclusion from signs or evidence
- 3
Historical conclusion
Historians have surmised that the letter was written much later than people first believed.
- 4
Unclear reason
At the time, we could only surmise why he had left so suddenly.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Noun use
Her surmise that the price would rise proved correct.
- Grammar
as a noun, surmise that ... is used for a conclusion or guess
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- surmisenounverb
Forms
- surmisedpast tenseverbnoun
- surmisespluralnounverb
- surmising-ing formverbnoun