English Dictionary |
HEURISTIC
Pronunciation (US): | (GB): |
Dictionary entry overview: What does heuristic mean?
• HEURISTIC (noun)
The noun HEURISTIC has 1 sense:
1. a commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem
Familiarity information: HEURISTIC used as a noun is very rare.
• HEURISTIC (adjective)
The adjective HEURISTIC has 1 sense:
1. of or relating to or using a general formulation that serves to guide investigation
Familiarity information: HEURISTIC used as an adjective is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
A commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Synonyms:
heuristic; heuristic program; heuristic rule
Hypernyms ("heuristic" is a kind of...):
formula; rule ((mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "heuristic"):
lateral thinking (a heuristic for solving problems; you try to look at the problem from many angles instead of tackling it head-on)
Derivation:
heuristic (of or relating to or using a general formulation that serves to guide investigation)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Of or relating to or using a general formulation that serves to guide investigation
Similar:
trial-and-error (relating to solving problems by experience rather than theory)
Antonym:
algorithmic (of or relating to or having the characteristics of an algorithm)
Derivation:
heuristic (a commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem)
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