inference

An inference is an educated guess as to why something is the way it is. This inference usually stems from an observation that makes you question a circumstance. For example, I observed that my friend walking out of an exam had a distressed look on her face. From that observation, I inferred that the test was difficult. I did not know for a fact that my inference was true, but I know that it is typical for someone walking out of a difficult exam to have a frustrated look on their face. In this case, my inference was correct; I confirmed my inference by asking how my friend felt about the exam.