# deductive

/dɪˈdəktəv/ (US) · /dɪdˈʌktɪv/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/deductive
Updated: 2026-10-15

## Definition

starting from general rules to reach a sure answer about something specific. You use it when you work from what you know is true to what must follow.

For teachers: Relating to reasoning from general principles to specific conclusions that follow necessarily. Often contrasted with inductive reasoning, which moves from observations to probable generalizations.

## Examples

- She uses deductive thinking to solve the puzzle.
- The detective uses deductive reasoning to link the clues and find the missing phone.
- While inductive studies suggest patterns from data, deductive work tests whether those patterns must hold when the starting assumptions are true.

## Usage notes

- Commonly collocates with 'reasoning', 'logic', 'method', and 'argument'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.