Infer Meaning
/ɪnˈfɜː/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo introduce (something) as a reasoned conclusion; to conclude by reasoning or deduction, as from premises or evidence.
verbTo lead to (something) as a consequence; to imply.
Sentence Examples
What do you infer from her strange behavior?
What can you infer from these observations?
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
From his smile and cheerful voice, I can ____ that he is happy.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
From the data presented in the report, we can ____ that the project will be a great success.
Word Origin & History
From Latin inferō, from Latin in- (“in, at, on; into”) + Latin ferō (“bear, carry; suffer”) (cognate to Old English beran, whence English bear), from Proto-Italic *ferō, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti (“to bear, carry”), from the root *bʰer-. Literally “carry forward”, equivalent to “bear in”, as in concluding from a premise. Doublet of inbear.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"It is dangerous to infer too much from martial bluster in British politics: at the first hint of trouble, channelling Churchill is a default tactic for beleaguered leaders of all sorts."
— 2010 October 7, “Keep calm, but don't carry on”, in The Economist:
"This doth infer the zeal I had to see him."
— c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]. Epilogue.”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene v]:
"These and a thousand like propositions, which concurre in this purpose, do evidently inferre [translating sonnent] some thing beyond patient expecting of death it selfe to be suffered in this life[…]."
— 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 3, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
"faire Serena[…]fled fast away, afeard / Of villany to be to her inferd[…]."
— 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book VI, Canto VIII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
"Full well hath Clifford played the orator, / Inferring arguments of mighty force."
— c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
From his smile and cheerful voice, I can ____ that he is happy.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
From the data presented in the report, we can ____ that the project will be a great success.