What does "inference" mean?
The act or process of inferring by deduction or induction.
Inference
/ˈɪn.fɚ.əns/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act or process of inferring by deduction or induction.
- Grammar: inference is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: a fortiori reasoning, a posteriori reasoning, a priori reasoning, abduction.
- Useful contrasts: compelling direct evidence, observational data.
- Usage evidence: Type inference has three outputs whereas checking only has two.
How to use "inference"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "inference" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
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- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "inference" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "inference" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act or process of inferring by deduction or induction. uncountable
- 2 the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct observation wordnet
- 3 That which is inferred; a truth or proposition drawn from another which is admitted or supposed to be true; a conclusion; a deduction. countable
"A key part of McCarthy’s argument, as made in other settings, such as a Larry King evening news show and on a now-infamous Oprah episode, focuses on the fact that children receive more vaccines now than ever before, which she believes corresponds with a rise in autism rates. However, as scientists and others who reject fallacious inferences point out, correlation is not causation."
- 4 Output generated by a trained machine learning model as it applies learned patterns to new data. uncountable
- 5 An instance or example of this, such as a prediction, classification, decision, etc. countable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
compelling direct evidenceobservational data
Example
"Type inference has three outputs whereas checking only has two."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "inference"?
Common synonyms include: a fortiori reasoning, a posteriori reasoning, a priori reasoning, abduction, abductions, allegory.
How do you use "inference" in a sentence?
Type inference has three outputs whereas checking only has two.
How do you pronounce "inference"?
Pronounced /ˈɪn.fɚ.əns/.
Etymology
From Latin inferentia. Morphologically infer + -ence.