English Meaning & Definitions
To extend the application of a method or conclusion, especially one based on statistics, to an unknown situation by assuming that existing trends will continue or similar methods will be applicable.
- “It is dangerous to extrapolate future trends entirely from last year's sales figures.”
- “By studying the fossil record, scientists can extrapolate how these ancient creatures likely behaved.”
To estimate or conclude something by inferring from known information or data.
- “We can extrapolate her general reaction to the news based on her past behavior.”
- “The detective tried to extrapolate the suspect's route from the few clues left at the scene.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “extrapolate”.
Coined in the mid-19th century as a back-formation from 'extrapolation', modeled on 'interpolate'. It combines the Latin 'extra' (outside, beyond) with 'polare' (to polish, alter, or work, from 'polire'), influenced by mathematics to mean extending a curve or method beyond known data points.
Think of 'extra' (beyond) plus 'polate' (related to points); you are taking data *extra* (outside) the known points.
Frequently Asked Questions About “extrapolate”
1. What is the meaning of “extrapolate” in English?
In English, extrapolate (verb) is defined as: “To extend the application of a method or conclusion, especially one based on statistics, to an unknown situation by assuming that existing trends will continue or similar methods will be applicable.”.
2. How do you use “extrapolate” in a sentence?
“It is dangerous to extrapolate future trends entirely from last year's sales figures.”
3. What are English synonyms of “extrapolate”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “extrapolate”?
Coined in the mid-19th century as a back-formation from 'extrapolation', modeled on 'interpolate'. It combines the Latin 'extra' (outside, beyond) with 'polare' (to polish, alter, or work, from 'polire'), influenced by mathematics to mean extending a curve or method beyond known data points.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
View all English words →The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.