guestimate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Informal, colloquial, business jargon
Quick answer
What does “guestimate” mean?
An estimate based primarily on guesswork, intuition, or limited information, rather than precise calculation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An estimate based primarily on guesswork, intuition, or limited information, rather than precise calculation.
A rough or approximate calculation made when data is insufficient or a precise figure is not required. Often used in informal contexts to acknowledge the inherent uncertainty of the figure given.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling is identical. The word is used with similar frequency and connotation in both varieties.
Connotations
Informal in both, but widely understood and accepted in spoken professional contexts (e.g., project planning, budgeting) where provisional figures are needed.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American business/informal contexts, but common in UK English as well.
Grammar
How to Use “guestimate” in a Sentence
to guestimate [that] + clauseto guestimate [sth] (at [amount])to guestimate [amount] for [sth]to guestimate [sth] for [time period]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “guestimate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Can you guestimate the number of tickets we'll sell?
- I'd guestimate the repair costs at around £500.
American English
- We need to guestimate the budget before the meeting.
- He guestimated the drive would take six hours.
adverb
British English
- (Not commonly used; 'roughly' or 'approximately' preferred.)
American English
- (Not commonly used; 'roughly' or 'approximately' preferred.)
adjective
British English
- These are just guestimate figures for the proposal.
American English
- We're working with guestimate data until the survey is complete.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in meetings and planning for preliminary budgets, timelines, and sales forecasts. 'Let's start with a guestimate for Q3 revenue.'
Academic
Generally avoided in formal writing; may appear in informal discussions about research data or preliminary findings.
Everyday
Used when planning events, trips, or DIY projects. 'Can you give me a guestimate of how many people are coming?'
Technical
Used in software development (e.g., for sprint planning) and engineering for initial, back-of-the-envelope calculations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “guestimate”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “guestimate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “guestimate”
- Spelling: 'guess-timate' (hypercorrection). Using it in formal reports where 'preliminary estimate' or 'approximation' is required.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a recognized informal word included in major dictionaries like Oxford and Merriam-Webster. It is a portmanteau (blend) of 'guess' and 'estimate'.
An 'estimate' implies some method or data behind the calculation, even if approximate. A 'guestimate' explicitly acknowledges a significant element of guesswork or intuition due to insufficient information.
Yes, it is commonly used as both a noun ('give me a guestimate') and a verb ('we need to guestimate the costs').
'Guestimate' is the standard spelling found in dictionaries. 'Guesstimate' is a common variant, but 'guestimate' is preferred as it more clearly shows its roots in 'guess' + 'estimate'.
An estimate based primarily on guesswork, intuition, or limited information, rather than precise calculation.
Guestimate is usually informal, colloquial, business jargon in register.
Guestimate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɛstɪmət/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɛstəmət/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take it as a guestimate.”
- “In the ballpark (related concept).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: It's a GUESS that dresses up like an ESTIMATE.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING IS SEEING CLEARLY / NOT KNOWING IS SEEING BLURRILLY. A guestimate is a blurry or out-of-focus estimate.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'guestimate' LEAST appropriate?