guesswork

noun

guess·​work ˈges-ˌwərk How to pronounce guesswork (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Smarter, More Relevant Ad Targeting Media networks can take the guesswork out of digital advertising. Greg Brunk, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 Our annual Best for Baby Awards highlight the latest and greatest baby products, taking the guesswork out of what can be a daunting process. Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 22 May 2025 Take the guesswork out of how many plants to grow in a container with these simple tips. Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2025 The worst examples of Google's idiomatic AI guesswork are ones where the LLM slips past plausible interpretations and into sheer hallucination of completely fictional sources. ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for guesswork

Word History

First Known Use

1725, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of guesswork was in 1725

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Cite this Entry

“Guesswork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guesswork. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

guesswork

noun
guess·​work -ˌwərk How to pronounce guesswork (audio)
: work performed or results gotten by guessing

More from Merriam-Webster on guesswork

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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