What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
conjecture
Example
The scientists made a conjecture about the cause of the phenomenon. [conjecture: noun]
Example
She conjectured that he was lying based on his body language. [conjectured: verb]
guess
Example
I can only make a guess as to what happened. [guess: noun]
Example
He guessed the answer correctly without any help. [guessed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Guess is more commonly used than conjecture in everyday language. Guess is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while conjecture is less common and typically used in academic or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between conjecture and guess?
Conjecture is more formal and academic than guess, which is more commonly used in casual conversation or informal writing.