extrapolate

[ ik-strap-uh-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ex·trap·o·lat·ed, ex·trap·o·lat·ing.

1. to infer (an unknown) from something that is known; conjecture.
2. Statistics. to estimate (the value of a variable) outside the tabulated or observed range.
3. Mathematics. to estimate (a function that is known over a range of values of its independent variable) to values outside the known range.

verb (used without object)

, ex·trap·o·lat·ed, ex·trap·o·lat·ing.

1. to perform extrapolation.

extrapolate

/ ɪkˈstræpəˌleɪt /

verb

1. maths to estimate (a value of a function or measurement) beyond the values already known, by the extension of a curve Compare interpolate
2. to infer (something not known) by using but not strictly deducing from the known facts

extrapolate

/ ĭk-străp′ə-lāt′ /

1. To estimate the value of a quantity that falls outside the range in which its values are known.

Derived Forms

• exˈtrapoˌlator, noun
• exˈtrapolative, adjective
• exˌtrapoˈlation, noun

Other Words From

• ex·trapo·lation noun
• ex·trapo·lative ex·trap·o·la·to·ry [ik-, strap, -, uh, -l, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• ex·trapo·lator noun
• over·ex·trapo·lation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of extrapolate¹

First recorded in 1825–35; extra- + (inter)polate

Word History and Origins

Origin of extrapolate¹

C19: extra- + -polate, as in interpolate

Example Sentences

“What I extrapolated was this sort of relentless optimism that comes across in their voice. There’s nothing ever wrong and everything is solvable.”

From Los Angeles Times

Goldstein was given free rein to extrapolate material from Joan’s books, documentaries, stand-up sets and joke catalogs, even if it was never performed.

From Los Angeles Times

While the screenplay’s themes can be extrapolated to broader sociopolitical questions, it fails to impart any new insights beyond the basic notion that cardinals, they’re just like us.

From Los Angeles Times

Since then, Trump has extrapolated that Democrats support so-called “after-birth abortion.”

From Salon

Some commentators, abetted by the right-wing peanut gallery, may simply have extrapolated from indications that she was targeting price gouging, but that’s on them, not her.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deduce
• hypothesize