Infer
To deduce or conclude information from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements.
verbInfer
To deduce or conclude information from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements.
verbImagine This
Imagine a detective at a cluttered crime scene: muddy footprints, a shattered vase, and a toppled lamp. From these clues, you infer that someone intruded after hours even though no witness saw them.
Sounds Like
in-FUR
Looks Like
Visually resembles other -fer words like refer or offer; shares the root 'fer' with carry/bear
Remember This
Infer is the action of drawing a conclusion. Imply is the act of suggesting something without stating it outright. Remember the rule: infer (you conclude) from evidence; imply (you suggest) what someone else states.
Other Forms
Connect With
deduce, conclude, reason, derive, evidence, inference
Note
Common mistake: saying 'The sign implies that it rained' when you should say 'From the signs, we inferred that it rained.' Also avoid confusing with 'offer' or 'refer' due to similar endings. In formal writing, reserve 'infer' for the reader's deduction and 'imply' for what is suggested by another's statement.