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Guess vs Inquire - What's the difference?

guess | inquire |

As verbs the difference between guess and inquire

is that guess is to reach a partly (or totally) unqualified conclusion while inquire is to ask (about something).

As a noun guess

is a prediction about the outcome of something, typically made without factual evidence or support.

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

    inquire

    English

    Alternative forms

    * enquire (chiefly British)

    Verb

    (intransitive'' or ''transitive )
  • (lb) To ask (about something).
  • To make an inquiry or an investigation.
  • *
  • *:"A fine man, that Dunwody, yonder," commented the young captain, as they parted, and as he turned to his prisoner. "We'll see him on in Washington some day.A strong man—a strong one; and a heedless." ¶ "Of what party is he?" she inquired , as though casually.
  • Usage notes

    * In British English, the spelling enquire' is more common, with '''inquire''' often reserved for official inquests. In Canada and the US, both spellings are acceptable, though ' inquire is favored.

    Synonyms

    * (l)

    Derived terms

    * inquire after * inquire of

    See also

    * inquest * inquisition * inquisitive * inquisitor English reporting verbs ----