a guesstimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a guesstimate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express an estimate that is based on guesswork rather than precise calculations. Example: "Based on the available data, my guesstimate for the project's completion time is about three weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Just a guesstimate is fine.

The New Yorker

Though Ms. Whitney said her prediction was based on "a guesstimate," she hasn't backed down.

The New York Times

That's a guesstimate number the Nats seem to like or, perhaps, where they get stuck.

The Washington Post

The poundcake was a trifle dry; as with the Jenn-Air, the timing was a guesstimate.

The New York Times - Food

It's a guesstimate, yet it is only a partial view of the total mismatch between income and expenditure.

The Guardian - Business

That is based on a guesstimate of the drop in output that might result from even a small deforestation-related decline in precipitation.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Luckily for the carbon credentials of the World Cup, however, each of the 64 matches will be viewed on the television by a guesstimated 93 million people worldwide.

The Guardian

The SNB owns about $80 billion in U.S. stocks today (June, 2017) and a guesstimated $20 billion or so in European stocks (this guess comes from my friend Grant Williams, so I will go with it).

Forbes

Not incidentally, the bet is that the New York exchange gets the listing because a huge financial platform (NYSE is the world's largest) is needed to handle the world's biggest oil company, and what will be the biggest IPO in history with a guesstimated $1 to $2 trillion market value.

Forbes

A: Some guesstimates predict the figure will be, give or take a hundred more, maybe 2,110 or 2,131, depending on what the committee decides.

The New York Times

2,000 is a private guesstimate leaked by a newspaper then, not the reliable statistic it's been presented as by the media.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a guesstimate" when you need to provide a quick estimate that might not be entirely accurate due to lack of precise data, but still serves as a useful approximation.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a guesstimate" as a definitive figure. Always acknowledge its approximate nature to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "a guesstimate" is that of a noun phrase functioning as a subject complement or object. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in sentences where it identifies or describes an estimated value or quantity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a guesstimate" is a common and grammatically sound term used to describe an estimate that is based on guesswork rather than precise calculations, as validated by Ludwig. It serves to provide a rough idea when precise data is lacking. While acceptable in most contexts, it's best suited for neutral or informal settings. Alternatives such as ""an educated guess"" or ""a rough estimate"" might be preferred in more formal situations. Ensure that the approximate nature of a "guesstimate" is always acknowledged to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an educated guess

Implies a guess based on some knowledge or experience, making it slightly more informed than a pure "guesstimate".

a rough estimate

Focuses on the lack of precision, emphasizing that the value is approximate.

a ballpark figure

Indicates an approximate number, often used in financial contexts.

a back-of-the-envelope calculation

Suggests a quick, informal calculation done without precise tools.

a tentative estimation

Highlights the provisional nature of the estimate, indicating it may change.

an approximation

Emphasizes the inexactness of the figure, highlighting that it is close but not precise.

a speculative figure

Suggests the number is based on conjecture and may not be reliable.

a working hypothesis

Implies the estimate is being used as a starting point for further investigation.

a preliminary assessment

Highlights that the estimate is an initial judgment, likely to be refined later.

an informed judgment

Suggests the estimate is based on knowledge and insight, though not necessarily precise data.

FAQs

How can I use "a guesstimate" in a sentence?

You can use "a guesstimate" to indicate an approximate calculation or prediction. For example, "Based on current trends, my guesstimate for next quarter's sales is around $1 million."

What's a good alternative to saying "a guesstimate"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "an educated guess", "a rough estimate", or "a ballpark figure".

Is "guesstimate" a formal term?

"Guesstimate" is generally considered an informal term. In more formal settings, it's better to use alternatives like "estimate" or "approximation".

What makes "a guesstimate" different from a regular estimate?

"A guesstimate" implies a greater degree of uncertainty and less reliance on precise data compared to a regular estimate. It's an estimate based more on intuition and readily available information.