guesswork

noun

guess·​work ˈges-ˌwərk 

: work performed or results obtained by guess : conjecture

Examples of guesswork in a Sentence

Calculating the drug's long-term effects is pure guesswork.

Recent Examples on the Web

That level of integration removes much of the guesswork that traditionally accompanies resin printing. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026

Instead, the range of 38 shades are all neutral and developed for their depth, taking much of the guesswork out of shade matching. — Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

This matching travel set takes all the guesswork out of planning your travel day outfits. — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026

To take out the guesswork, both Funk and Vater recommend checking the soil regularly and watering when the top inch feels dry. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1725, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for guesswork

• artwork
• beadwork
• berserk
• breastwork
• brickwork
• brushwork
• casework
• classwork
• clockwork
• coursework
• ductwork
• earthwork

Kids Definition

guesswork

noun

guess·​work -ˌwərk 

: work performed or results gotten by guessing