Word
deduce
Phoneticsde·duce, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈdus/
UK/dɪdjˈuːs/
Definition
v. to find out something by using your logic and the facts you already know. You use this when you reach a conclusion based on evidence.
v. to infer a conclusion from evidence or reasoning. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the conclusion or fact being reached.
Examples
“I can deduce that he is lying from his nervous behavior.”
“By analyzing the crime scene and the witness statements, the detective was able to deduce the suspect's identity.”
“The philosopher argued that one can deduce the existence of a higher power from the intricate design of the natural world, though this remains a point of significant debate among modern scholars.”
Examples
simple
“I can deduce that he is lying from his nervous behavior.”
contextual
“By analyzing the crime scene and the witness statements, the detective was able to deduce the suspect's identity.”
complex
“The philosopher argued that one can deduce the existence of a higher power from the intricate design of the natural world, though this remains a point of significant debate among modern scholars.”
Real-World Examples
“Proof that the brochure was referring to Chinese cars — and not those made in France, Italy or anywhere in North America — can be deduced from this section on state actors.” “The future track of the storm would have been deduced from large-scale weather patterns, with enormous errors.” Etymology
From Late Middle English deducen (“to demonstrate, prove, show; to argue, infer; to bring, lead; to turn (something) to a use; to deduct”), borrowed from Latin dēdūcere, the present active infinitive of dēdūcō (“to lead or bring out or away; to accompany, conduct, escort; (figuratively) to derive, discover, deduce”); from dē- (prefix meaning ‘from, away from’) + dūcere (the present active infinitive of dūcō (“to conduct, guide, lead; to draw, pull; to consider, regard, think”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dewk- (“to lead; to draw, pull”)).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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