# infer

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɪnˈfɜː/ · frequency rank #23,568

## Definitions
1. To introduce (something) as a reasoned conclusion; to conclude by reasoning or deduction, as from premises or evidence.
2. To lead to (something) as a consequence; to imply.
3. To cause, inflict (something) upon or to someone.
4. To introduce (a subject) in speaking, writing etc.; to bring in, to adduce.

## Etymology
From Latin inferō, from Latin in- (“in, at, on; into”) + Latin ferō (“bear, carry; suffer”) (cognate to Old English beran, whence English bear), from Proto-Italic *ferō, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti (“to bear, carry”), from the root *bʰer-. Literally “carry forward”, equivalent to “bear in”, as in concluding from a premise. Doublet of inbear.

## Easily confused with
- **info** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infer-vs-info)
- **Iver** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infer-vs-iver)
- **inner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infer-vs-inner)
- **intel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infer-vs-intel)
- **inlet** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infer-vs-inlet)
- **inked** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infer-vs-inked)
- **infra** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infer-vs-infra)
- **inset** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infer-vs-inset)
- **inform** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infer-vs-inform)
- **insert** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infer-vs-insert)
- **intern** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infer-vs-intern)
- **invert** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infer-vs-invert)
- **infirm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infer-vs-infirm)
- **inferno** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infer-vs-inferno)
- **Ince** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ince-vs-infer)
- **Inez** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inez-vs-infer)
- **index** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/index-vs-infer)
- **incur** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/incur-vs-infer)
- **inert** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inert-vs-infer)
- **infect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/infect-vs-infer)

## Common misspellings (6)
`inefr`, `inferr`, `inffer`, `infre`, `innfer`, `nifer`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/infer