# surmise

/sɝˈmaɪz/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/surmise
Updated: 2026-10-14

## Definition

to guess that something is true without having full proof. You use it when you make a careful guess from the clues you have.

For teachers: to infer or suppose something to be true on the basis of incomplete evidence.

## Examples

- I surmise he is stuck in traffic.
- From the dark windows and full mailbox, she surmised the family was away on holiday.
- Reading the hurried handwriting and unsent letters, historians surmised that the diplomat had anticipated the breakdown of talks weeks earlier.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and often takes a 'that'-clause or noun-phrase object.

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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.