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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Guess: Meaning, Examples, and Usage Guide (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：make a guess (guess)

guess 🔊

/ɡɛs/

v./n.

To try to give an answer or form an idea without being sure or having all the facts.

Girl guessing object in box game with eyes closed

make a guess 🔊

➕

/meɪk ə ɡɛs/

v./n.

To give an answer or opinion with incomplete information, often in a game or test.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from Middle English 'gessen', from Old Norse 'geta' (to get, to suppose). No distinct root affixes.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'g' + 'uess' as 'gathering uncertain evidence' — you guess when you lack facts.

📖 Example

I didn't know the answer to the last question, so I had to guess. 🔊 I didn't know the answer to the last question, so I had to guess.

🔗 Collocations

make a guess – to attempt to answer or predict without certainty

take a guess – to try to guess something, often in a casual manner

guess at – to make a rough estimate or attempt to find something

🔄 Synonyms

estimate (v.) – To roughly calculate or judge the value, number, or extent of something

speculate (v.) – To form a theory or conjecture without firm evidence

conjecture (n./v.) – An opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information

🚫 Antonyms

know (v.) – To be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information

confirm (v.) – To establish the truth or correctness of something

🌱 Derivatives

guesser (n.) – A person who guesses

guessable (adj.) – Able to be guessed

guessing (n./adj.) – The act of making guesses

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from Old Norse 'geta' meaning 'to get' or 'to suppose', the word evolved through Middle English to mean forming an opinion without full evidence. It appears in common phrases like 'your guess is as good as mine', highlighting shared uncertainty.

Meaning 2：suppose (guess)

guess 🔊

/ɡɛs/

v./n.

To think or suppose something is true based on some signs or feelings, without being completely certain.

Weather forecaster making educated guess on map

suppose 🔊

➕

/səˈpoʊz/

v./n.

To think that something is true or likely based on signs or feelings, though not certain.

📁 Category：Mental Process 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

I guess it will rain this afternoon, judging by those dark clouds. 🔊 I suppose it will rain this afternoon, judging by those dark clouds.

🔗 Collocations

I guess that – A phrase expressing a tentative opinion or belief

guess correctly – To make a guess that turns out to be right

best guess – The most likely idea or estimate based on available information

🔄 Synonyms

assume (v.) – To take for granted; suppose to be the case

presume (v.) – To suppose that something is likely to be true

reckon (v.) – To think or assume something is true

🚫 Antonyms

know (v.) – To have certain knowledge about something

prove (v.) – To demonstrate the truth of something

🌱 Derivatives

guessing (n.) – The act of forming a supposition

guesswork (n.) – The process of solving problems by making guesses

guessed (adj.) – Arrived at by guessing