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Clue vs Guess - What's the difference?

clue | guess |

As nouns the difference between clue and guess

is that clue is a strand of yarn etc as used to guide one through a labyrinth; something which points the way, a guide while guess is a prediction about the outcome of something, typically made without factual evidence or support.

As verbs the difference between clue and guess

is that clue is to provide with a clue while guess is to reach a partly (or totally) unqualified conclusion.

clue

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A strand of yarn etc. as used to guide one through a labyrinth; something which points the way, a guide.
  • * 1897 , Henry James, What Maisie Knew :
    • she had even had in the past a small smug conviction that in the domestic labyrinth she always kept the clue .
  • Information which may lead one to a certain point or conclusion.
  • An object or a kind of indication which may be used as evidence.
  • (slang) Insight or understanding ("to have a clue [about]" or "to have clue". See have a clue, clue stick)

    • Synonyms

    * (information which may lead one to a certain point or conclusion) hint, indication, suggestion * (object or indication which may be used as evidence) signature

    Derived terms

    * * clueless * cluestick / clue stick * cluey * have a clue * not have a clue

    See also

    * evidence * red herring

    Verb

  • To provide with a clue.
    • The crossword compiler wasn't sure how to clue the word "should".
  • To provide someone with information which he or she lacks (often used with "in" or "up").
    • Smith, clue Jones in on what's been happening.

    Derived terms

    * clued-in * clued-up

    guess

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) . More at (l).

    Verb

  • To reach a partly (or totally) unqualified conclusion.
  • To solve by a correct conjecture; to conjecture rightly.
    • He who guesses the riddle shall have the ring.
  • (chiefly, US) to suppose (introducing a proposition of uncertain plausibility).
    • That album is quite hard to find, but I guess you could try ordering it online.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Not all together; better far, I guess , / That we do make our entrance several ways.
  • * Alexander Pope
    • But in known images of life I guess / The labour greater.
  • *
  • (obsolete) To hit upon or reproduce by memory.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Tell me their words, as near as thou canst guess them.
    Synonyms
    * hypothesize * take a stab * speculate
    Derived terms
    * foreguess * guess what * guessable * guesser * guessing game * guesstimate * guesswork * keep someone guessing * no prize for guessing * out-guess * second-guess * you'll never guess

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) gesse. Cognate with (etyl) .

    Noun

    (es)
  • A prediction about the outcome of something, typically made without factual evidence or support.
    • If you don't know the answer, take a guess .
  • *
    • Synonyms
    * estimate * hypothesis * prediction
    Derived terms
    * another-guess * anyone's guess * by guess or by gosh * educated guess * guesswork * guesstimate * otherguess * take a guess * your guess is as good as mine

    External links

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