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Make an educated guess.

What is the meaning of educated in the sentence?

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4 Answers

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An educated guess is a guess in which you take into account factors which might affect the outcome using reason. It is a term used to clarify that a guess is not one which is made “off the top of your head”—that is, guessing the first possibility that comes to mind—but rather one which, although it is still a guess, is generated by considering multiple possibilities and selecting the one thought most likely by considering those factors that a reasonable person might assume will affect the outcome.

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Does educated in educated guess have the same/similar meaning of reasoned? – kiamlaluno Aug 22 '10 at 19:10
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Reasoned comes into it, but I'd say informed is a better substitute, if it's a substitute you're looking for. – TRiG Oct 31 '10 at 1:18
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An alternative synonym: informed (and ill-informed, perhaps, as an autonym).

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perhaps you meant "antonym"? – Lie Ryan Nov 10 '10 at 9:42
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When I use this expression, I mean a guess that is informed by experience and knowledge not readily apparent to the average person, rather than based on average person's information base plus some thought.

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I agree - knowledge, probably specialist knowledge, is the key ingredient, not thought. – Colin Fine Oct 26 '10 at 15:14
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Synonym: reasoned. Antonym: wild.

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