German word

Vermutung

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈmuːtʊŋ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounguess

Example

Das ist nur meine Vermutung.

This is just my guess.

Illustration for Vermutung (guess)

More examples

Meine Vermutung hat sich als falsch erwiesen.

My guess turned out to be wrong.

Core concept

A tentative link between observed signs and an unseen answer.

Common phrases

  • zu einer Vermutung gelangen

    arrive at a guess

  • eine Vermutung zurückweisen

    reject a guess

  • auf der Vermutung basieren

    be based on the guess

Similar words

Annahme: An idea provisionally accepted as true based on evidence or premises.
Ahnung: An intuitive feeling that something may be so, without clear grounds.
Mutmaßung: An opinion inferred or stated despite scant supporting evidence.
Verdacht: A suspicion that wrongdoing or danger may be involved.

Definition in German

Vermutung ist eine auf Hinweisen beruhende, noch nicht gesicherte Annahme über etwas.

Word origin

The noun Vermutung derives from vermuten plus -ung, while vermuten continues Middle High German vermuoten, meaning to suppose or think.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English guess, Vermutung usually names a supposition rather than an attempt to find an answer; German often uses raten for that attempt.

Other meanings

  • speculationnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • vermutenguessverb
  • vermutbarinferableadjective

Word lists with this word