B2nounformalacademiclanguage
US/ˈɪn.fər.əns/
UK/ˈɪn.fər.əns/
a conclusion you reach from the facts you have, not from being told directly
In context
Reading tests often ask you to make inferences about a writer's opinion.
The obvious inference is that the company is losing money.
We cannot draw any inference from such a small survey.
Words that go with inference
verb + noun
- draw an inferenceIt is risky to draw an inference from one example.
- make inferencesGood readers make inferences while they read.
adjective + noun
- reasonable inferenceIt is a reasonable inference that the letter was written in Hanoi.
noun + preposition
- inference fromAny inference from these figures should be made with care.
- by inferenceThe law bans cars, and by inference, motorbikes too.