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

Referees rarely do this work, receive no formal training, and know the exercise is as much guesswork as judgment. —Adam Davis, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026

Conducting a soil test will eliminate the guesswork when choosing the right type and amount of fertilizer for your trees, as using too much fertilizer or the incorrect type can severely damage them. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 13 May 2026

These make the operation as user-friendly as possible because there’s no guesswork involved in ensuring the dial is in just the correct position. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 13 May 2026

Use a Tape Measure A tape measure eliminates the guesswork when figuring out how far apart to plant tomatoes. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 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