guesstimate
/ˈɡɛstɪmeɪt/ · gues·tis·mate
noun
- An estimate that is hardly any better than a guess, often because it is based on insufficient or unreliable data. The project manager made a guesstimate of the construction time, but it turned out to be way off.
- A rough estimate or approximation. The guesstimate of the population was later confirmed by the official census.
verb
- To make a guesstimate. The team had to guesstimate the cost of the materials before placing the order.
- To make a guesstimate of a specific quantity. The engineer guesstimated the weight of the cargo, but it ended up being heavier than expected.
Did you know? The word 'guesstimate' has become a common term in business and engineering, where precise estimates are crucial, but sometimes impossible to obtain.