Word: extrapolate (verb)

Associations

The word "extrapolate" means to guess or estimate something based on known information, especially by extending a pattern or trend beyond the original data.

• Scientists often extrapolate data from experiments to predict future results. This means they use what they know to guess what might happen next.
• If you see that it has rained every day this week, you might extrapolate that it will rain tomorrow too.
• Business people extrapolate sales trends to plan for the next quarter. A synonym is "predict," but "extrapolate" usually means making a guess based on extending existing data or patterns, while "predict" can be more general and not always based on data.

Substitution

Instead of "extrapolate," you can use:

• "infer" – but this is more about drawing a conclusion from evidence, not always about extending data.
• "estimate" – a more general word for making a guess.
• "predict" – a more general word for saying what you think will happen. Using these words changes the meaning slightly. "Extrapolate" is more specific to using known data to guess beyond it.

Deconstruction

The word "extrapolate" comes from:

• Prefix "extra-" meaning "outside" or "beyond."
• Root "pol-" from Latin "polare" meaning "to place" or "to adjust."
• Suffix "-ate" which turns the word into a verb. So, "extrapolate" literally means to "place beyond" or to extend beyond the known information.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a situation where you had to guess or estimate something based on what you already knew?
• How is extrapolating different from just guessing without any information?
• Can you use "extrapolate" in a sentence about your daily life or studies?