wild estimate

USAGE SUMMARY

"wild estimate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a guess or estimation that is far from accurate. For example: "He gave us a wild estimate of how much it would cost to complete the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He smiled broadly, and offered a wild estimate.

The New York Times

"This is a wild estimate, a wish list," said a top international economic policy maker.

The New York Times

£100m is not a wild estimate, it's actually quite a conservative estimate".

BBC

It is impossible to make even a wild estimate at the number of people who have died, are missing or affected by this earthquake, which measured 7.3 on the Richter scale.

Huffington Post

A wild estimate is one that is based on unannotated protein isoforms of all lengths.

BMC Genomics

Such a wild estimate is: From Vega data set: (a) one in every 3.4 genes can express an orphan protein that lacks any "known" function, and (b) One in every 6.8 alternative splice events can result in transcript isoform that encodes a protein lacking any "known" function; From ASD data set: one in every 1.02 genes and one in every 4.2 isoforms.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Wild estimates are not hard to find.

The New York Times

My percentages are, of course, wild estimates, but they suggest the orders of magnitude.

The New York Times

Once more, bidders had displayed a new resistance against wild estimates.

The New York Times - Arts

Evidence that the market is stalling in part because of wild estimates was provided by the first 47 lots.

The New York Times - Arts

We must not attach ourselves to wild estimates, but try to get at the best figures possible".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wild estimate" when you want to emphasize that an estimation is highly uncertain and lacks a firm basis in facts or data. It's suitable when acknowledging the speculative nature of a figure.

Common error

Avoid using "wild estimate" when a "rough estimate" is more appropriate. A "rough estimate" implies some level of calculation or consideration, while a "wild estimate" suggests a more impulsive or less informed guess.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wild estimate" functions as a noun phrase where "wild" modifies the noun "estimate". Ludwig AI indicates that it's used to denote an approximation that is speculative and lacks precision.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wild estimate" describes a highly uncertain and speculative approximation. It's grammatically sound but relatively rare, appearing most frequently in news and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate when emphasizing the lack of precision or factual basis behind a number. When a more rigorous or considered estimation is implied, alternatives like "rough calculation" or "educated guess" may be more suitable. Though somewhat informal, "wild estimate" is acceptable in neutral registers but should be used judiciously in highly formal or academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rough calculation

Replaces "estimate" with a synonym that suggests a lack of precision, while "rough" is less emphatic than "wild".

ballpark figure

Uses a common idiom that indicates an approximate value, differing in tone and register from "wild estimate".

rough guess

Similar to "rough calculation" but emphasizes the guessing aspect.

educated guess

Implies some level of reasoning behind the estimate, contrasting with the potential recklessness of a "wild estimate".

speculative projection

Replaces both words to give a more formal and analytical tone, focusing on potential future outcomes.

guessimate

Combines "guess" and "estimate" into a single word, highlighting the imprecise nature of the estimation.

back-of-the-envelope calculation

Uses an idiom to indicate a quick and informal calculation, implying a lack of rigor.

unfounded assessment

Indicates the estimate lacks a solid basis or evidence, adding a negative connotation.

imprecise figure

Focuses on the lack of precision, providing a more neutral and less critical alternative.

broad approximation

Highlights the approximate nature of the figure, suggesting a wide margin of error.

FAQs

How can I use "wild estimate" in a sentence?

You can use "wild estimate" to describe an approximate calculation lacking accuracy, for example: "The engineer gave a "wild estimate" of the bridge's load capacity."

What are some alternatives to "wild estimate"?

Consider alternatives such as "rough calculation", "ballpark figure", or "educated guess" depending on the context and the degree of accuracy you want to convey.

Is "wild estimate" the same as "educated guess"?

No, a "wild estimate" implies a lack of rigorous assessment, while an "educated guess" suggests the estimation is based on some knowledge or reasoning.

When is it appropriate to use the term "wild estimate"?

Use "wild estimate" when the estimation is speculative and lacks a concrete foundation. It's often used to describe figures that are deliberately exaggerated or lack precise calculation.