B2verb 3K

Infer

🇬🇧 UK /["/ɪnˈfɜː(r)/","/ɪnˈfɜːz/","/ɪnˈfɜːd/","/ɪnˈfɜːrɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ɪnˈfɜːr/","/ɪnˈfɜːrz/","/ɪnˈfɜːrd/","/ɪnˈfɜːrɪŋ/"]/

Meaning of Infer

to reach an opinion or decide that something is true on the basis of information that is available

In simple words: To understand something based on clues rather than being told directly.

Infer in a sentence

• Much of the meaning must be inferred from the context.
• Readers are left to infer the killer’s motives.
• It is reasonable to infer that the government knew about these deals.
• From this study we can reasonably infer that this characteristic is inherited.
• It is difficult to infer anything from such evidence.
• It can be inferred from the evidence that the killer was quite a young man.
• What can we infer about the state of mind of the writer?
• Are you inferring (that) I’m not capable of doing the job?

How to use Infer

Use 'infer' when drawing conclusions from evidence or reasoning. It’s common in academic writing but less frequent in casual conversation where 'guess' might be used instead.

Grammar pattern

infer + object

Memory hint

Think of 'in' and 'fer' as 'in the evidence to draw a conclusion'.

Related words

Collocations with Infer

• reasonably
• correctly
• incorrectly
• can
• be possible to
• be difficult to
• from

Synonyms for Infer

• deduce
• conclude
• derive
• gather
• extrapolate

Opposites of Infer

• state
• declare
• announce

Common mistakes with Infer

• Confused with 'imply' — remember, implying is saying something indirectly, while inferring is what the listener does.
• Using 'infer' without an object (e.g., saying 'I infer' without specifying what you infer from).
• Assuming 'infer' and 'learn' mean the same thing.

Frequently asked questions about Infer

What does Infer mean?

To understand something based on clues rather than being told directly.

What is the definition of Infer?

to reach an opinion or decide that something is true on the basis of information that is available

How do you use Infer in a sentence?

Much of the meaning must be inferred from the context.

Can you give another example of Infer?

Readers are left to infer the killer’s motives.

What are synonyms for Infer?

Common alternatives include deduce, conclude, derive, gather, extrapolate.

What is the opposite of Infer?

Opposite meanings include state, declare, announce.

What words go with Infer?

It commonly pairs with reasonably, correctly, incorrectly, can, be possible to, be difficult to, from.

What are common mistakes when using Infer?

Confused with 'imply' — remember, implying is saying something indirectly, while inferring is what the listener does. Using 'infer' without an object (e.g., saying 'I infer' without specifying what you infer from). Assuming 'infer' and 'learn' mean the same thing.

How do you pronounce Infer?

US: /["/ɪnˈfɜːr/","/ɪnˈfɜːrz/","/ɪnˈfɜːrd/","/ɪnˈfɜːrɪŋ/"]/, UK: /["/ɪnˈfɜː(r)/","/ɪnˈfɜːz/","/ɪnˈfɜːd/","/ɪnˈfɜːrɪŋ/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Infer?

Use 'infer' when drawing conclusions from evidence or reasoning. It’s common in academic writing but less frequent in casual conversation where 'guess' might be used instead.

What CEFR level is Infer?

"Infer" is at B2 level on the CEFR scale.