guesswork
n.the act of trying to find an answer or make a decision without having all the facts. You use this when you are taking a chance or making an educated guess.
n.the process of forming a conclusion or making a decision based on incomplete information or intuition. Often implies a lack of certainty or the use of probability rather than evidence.
“I don't want to rely on guesswork to pass the test.”
“The detective solved the case without any guesswork, using only the physical evidence found at the scene.”
“While some investors prefer to follow market trends, others rely on guesswork and gut feelings, often leading to volatile and unpredictable financial outcomes.”
From guess + work. Compare Dutch giswerk (“guesswork”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.