Word
inference
Phoneticsin·fer·ence, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪnfɝəns/
UK/ˈɪnfəɹəns/
Definitions
01the process of reasoning
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Academic
n. the act of using clues or facts to figure something out.
n. the cognitive process of deriving logical conclusions from premises known or assumed to be true.
“The detective used inference to solve the case, looking at the muddy footprints and the broken window.”
“The researcher relied on statistical inference to determine whether the observed patterns in the sample were representative of the wider population.”
Usage
Often used with the verb 'draw' or 'make'.
02a conclusion reached
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a guess or conclusion you make based on the information you have.
n. a specific proposition or conclusion reached through the process of inferring.
“Is it a fair inference to say that he was unhappy, given how quickly he left the party?”
“The historian's inference that the document was a forgery was later confirmed by chemical analysis of the ink and parchment.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03machine learning output
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Computing Technical
n. the step where an AI uses what it has learned to make a decision or a prediction about new information.
n. the phase in which a trained machine learning model applies its learned parameters to new input data to produce an output.
“The app performs inference locally on your phone to identify the plants in your photos.”
“Optimising the model for edge devices significantly reduced the latency during real-time inference, allowing for instantaneous object detection.”
Usage
Commonly contrasted with the 'training' phase of a model.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “inference” in context.
Verb
01. draw inference
“From the evidence presented in the report, we can draw a clear inference about the cause of the accident.”
verb + noun
02. make inference
“Readers often have to make inferences about a character's motivations based on their actions.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. causal inference
“It is difficult to make a causal inference between the two events without more scientific data.”
adj + noun
04. valid inference
“The researcher argued that his conclusion was a valid inference based on the survey results.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“On occasions, the panel concluded it “should not accept the opinion of an expert”; the precise reasons why are set out in an appendix but, in context, an inference can be drawn.” “The inference was that it would take rather more to become a proper team.” Etymology
From Latin inferentia. Morphologically infer + -ence.
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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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