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guesswork

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Word: Guesswork

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Guesswork is the process of making an estimate or decision based on little or no information or evidence. It means you are trying to figure something out without having all the facts.

Usage Instructions:
  1. When to Use: You can use "guesswork" when you want to describe a situation where someone has to make a decision or assumption without enough data. It's often used in contexts where certainty is low or where the outcome is uncertain.
  2. How to Use: It can be used in both spoken and written English. You can say it when discussing decisions, predictions, or any scenario where someone is guessing.
Examples:
  • "Since we didn’t have any data, our plan was based on guesswork."
  • "The scientist admitted that there was a lot of guesswork involved in his early research."
Advanced Usage:
  • In professional settings, guesswork is often seen as less reliable than data-driven decision-making. You might hear terms likedata-driven analysisor “evidence-based decision-makingused to contrast with guesswork.
Word Variants:
  • Guess (verb): To estimate or conclude something without sufficient information.
  • Guessing (noun): The act of making a guess.
  • Guessable (adjective): Something that can easily be guessed.
Different Meanings:
  • Guesswork can also refer to the process of trying to solve a problem where the answer is not clear, not just in decision-making but in problem-solving situations.
Synonyms:
  • Estimation
  • Speculation
  • Conjecture
  • Assumption
  • Supposition
Idioms:
  • "Take a shot in the dark": This means to make a guess when you have very little information.
  • "Flying blind": This refers to making decisions without knowing all the facts.
Phrasal Verbs:

While "guesswork" itself doesn't have specific phrasal verbs, you might use the verb "guess" in phrases like: - "Guess it" (to estimate something). - "Guess at" (to make a guess about something).

Summary:

In summary, guesswork is a way of figuring things out when you don’t have enough information.

Noun
  1. an estimate based on little or no information

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