Guestimate

/ˈɡɛstɪmeɪt/ noun, verb

Definition

An estimate or calculation made without precise data, blending guessing and estimating.

Etymology

Variant or alternate spelling of 'guesstimate,' a 20th-century portmanteau of 'guess' and 'estimate,' sometimes written as one word or with 'guest' rather than 'gues.'

Kelly Says

The variant 'guestimate' (using 'guest' instead of 'guess') shows how words can split into spelling variants—while 'guesstimate' became the standard, some speakers created or adopted 'guestimate,' demonstrating that portmanteau formation isn't always a perfectly unified process.

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