• (America) IPA: /ɪnˈfɝ/
• (RP) IPA: /ɪnˈfɜː/

infer (infers, present participle inferring; past and past participle inferred)

1. (transitive) To introduce (something) as a reasoned conclusion; to conclude by reasoning or deduction, as from premises or evidence. [from 16th c.]
   • 2010, "Keep calm, but don't carry on", The Economist, 7 Oct 2010:

     It is dangerous to infer too much from martial bluster in British politics: at the first hint of trouble, channelling Churchill is a default tactic for beleaguered leaders of all sorts.

2. (transitive) To lead to (something) as a consequence; to imply. (Now often considered incorrect, especially with a person as subject.) [from 16th c.]
   • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 3, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes, […], book II, printed at London: By Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], OCLC 946730821 ↗:

     These and a thousand like propositions, which concurre in this purpose, do evidently inferre {{transterm

   • c. 1596–1599, William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act V, scene v]:

     This doth infer the zeal I had to see him.

   • The first part is not the proof of the second, but rather contrariwise, the second inferreth well the first.

3. (obsolete) To cause, inflict (something) upon or to someone. [16th-18th c.]
   • 1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, VI.8:

     faire Serena […] fled fast away, afeard / Of villany to be to her inferd […].

4. (obsolete) To introduce (a subject) in speaking, writing etc.; to bring in. [16th–18th c.]
   • c. 1591–1592, William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act II, scene ii]:

     Full well hath Clifford played the orator, / Inferring arguments of mighty force.

• assume, conclude, deduce, educe, construe

• inferable
• inference
• illative
• illation
• -ferous (-iferous)

• French: déduire, inférer
• German: schlussfolgern, folgern, schließen, Schlüsse ziehen
• Italian: inferire, dedurre, concludere, infliggere
• Portuguese: inferir
• Russian: заключить
• Spanish: inferir

• German: zur Folge haben
• Italian: implicare
• Russian: предполагать
• Spanish: inferir