These two get mixed up all the time, and the mix-up goes in one direction: people use "infer" when they mean "imply." Here is the fix, in one sentence: the speaker implies, the listener infers.
To imply is to suggest something without saying it directly. It is what the speaker or writer does.
imply full definition →
To infer is to work out a meaning from what someone else said or wrote. It is what the listener or reader does.
infer full definition →
| imply | infer | |
|---|---|---|
| Who does it | The speaker or writer | The listener or reader |
| What it means | To hint at something | To work out a meaning |
| Simple test | "I implied it in what I said." | "I inferred it from what you said." |
Speakers and writers imply. Listeners and readers infer. If you are reading between the lines, you are inferring.
Save both words to GoVocab and review them until they stick.
Download on the App Store