[ ik-strap-uh-leyt ]
/ ɪkˈstræp əˌleɪt /

verb (used with object), ex·trap·o·lat·ed, ex·trap·o·lat·ing.

to infer (an unknown) from something that is known; conjecture.
Statistics. to estimate (the value of a variable) outside the tabulated or observed range.
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.

to perform extrapolation.

Origin of extrapolate

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

OTHER WORDS FROM extrapolate

ex·trap·o·la·tion, nounex·trap·o·la·tive, ex·trap·o·la·to·ry [ik-strap-uh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ɪkˈstræp ə ləˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectiveex·trap·o·la·tor, nouno·ver·ex·trap·o·la·tion, noun


deduction extrapolation induction generalization hypothesis

British Dictionary definitions for extrapolatory

/ (ɪkˈstræpəˌleɪt) /


maths to estimate (a value of a function or measurement) beyond the values already known, by the extension of a curveCompare interpolate (def. 4)
to infer (something not known) by using but not strictly deducing from the known facts

Derived forms of extrapolate

extrapolation, nounextrapolative or extrapolatory, adjectiveextrapolator, noun

Word Origin for extrapolate

C19: extra- + -polate, as in interpolate

Science definitions for extrapolatory

[ ĭk-străpə-lāt′ ]

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