26984 words

guesses

13 definitions • 29 examples
1
to give an answer to a particular question when you do not have all the facts and so cannot be certain if you are correct:

Examples:

I didn't know the answer, so I had to guess.
guess right/wrong On the last question, she guessed right/wrong.
[ + question word ] Guess when this was built.
[ + (that) ] I guessed (that) she was your sister.
She asked me to guess her age.
guess something to be something I guessed the total amount to be about £50,000.
2
to give the correct answer or make the correct judgment:

Examples:

[ + question word ] I bet you can't guess how old he is.
She guessed the answer on her first try.
"You have a new job, don't you?" "Yes, how did you guess?"
3
used before telling someone something interesting or surprising:

Examples:

Guess what? We won the game 4–0.
4
used when you believe something is true or likely but are not certain:

Examples:

[ + (that) ] I guess (that) things are pretty hard for you now.
I guess I should start looking for a lawyer.
It's been four or five weeks, I guess, since I last spoke to her.
I guess most people know about their breakup by now.
"Do you like sushi?" "I guess? I've only had it once."
5
used to show agreement, but not very strong agreement:

Examples:

That would be okay, I guess.
I stand corrected, I guess.
6
used to say what you are probably going to do:

Examples:

I guess I'd better get dressed.
I'll ask the teacher in the morning I guess.
7
an attempt to give the right answer when you are not certain if you are correct:

Examples:

have/make a guess Go on - have/make a guess.
wild guess Both teams made some wild guesses (= made without much thought), none of which were right.
8
someone's opinion about something that is formed without any knowledge of the situation:

Examples:

"I wonder why she's not here." "My guess is that her car has broken down."
9
to give an answer to a question when you do not have all the facts and so cannot be certain if you are right:

Examples:

[ I ] I didn’t know the answer, so I had to guess.
[ + (that) clause ] He guessed (that) she was about 50.
10
To guess can also mean to give the correct answer:

Examples:

[ T ] She guessed the right answer.
11
To guess also means to think or believe:

Examples:

[ T ] My plane leaves in an hour, so I guess I’d better be going.
[ T ] "Is he going to call you back?" "I guess so."
12
an attempt to give the right answer when you are not certain if you are right:

Examples:

Go on, take a guess.
13
Someone’s guess is also an opinion about something, formed without any knowledge of the situation:

Examples:

I don’t know why she’s late, but my guess is she got off at the wrong exit.

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