noun

hunch

HUNCH/hˈʌntʃ/

A feeling or guess not based on clear evidence.

The man follows a hunch when choosing among the identical closed boxes.

An older man tentatively points to one of three identical closed boxes, choosing by intuition despite having no visible clues about their contents.

Etymology

Hunch first named a push or thrust, then figuratively a hint—a “push” toward an answer. That intermediate sense developed into a presentiment or intuitive guess.

In context

Professor Dave Explains18:55

I think in June that the chances that it came from the lab looked to me to be about 90%. This is already ridiculous. 90% sure based on what? A hunch?

Bret and Eric Weinstein: Brothers in Fraudulence

More examples

Acting on a hunch, Maya checks the back door.
His hunch about the surprise party turns out to be right.
It's only a hunch, so let's check the numbers.

Forms

hunch · hunches

Similar words

guess: May be arbitrary rather than guided by an intuitive feeling.
intuition: Often describes a general ability rather than one particular guess.
suspicion: Often suggests that something is wrong or someone is responsible.