heuristic

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /hjuˈɹɪstɪk/ See IPA manual

Freq #98538

Meanings

1

adj
That employs a practical method not guaranteed to be optimal or perfect; either not following or derived from any theory, or based on an advisedly oversimplified one.

"The heuristic appraisal is the 'identification and evaluation of hints and clues that can provide direction to inquiry in the sometimes large gap between the extremes of complete knowledge and complete ignorance'”.
2

adj
That provides a useful, but not optimal, solution to a problem. Such algorithms are typically employed either because the only known algorithms that provide optimal solutions use too much time or resources, or else because there is no known algorithm that provides an optimal solution.

If a heuristic algorithm works for most of the input data or its maximum percentage error is tolerable, we may prefer the heuristic algorithm to an optimum algorithm that requires a long time.
3

adj
of or relating to or using a general formulation that serves to guide investigation
4

noun
a commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem

Thesaurus

Synonyms

4 noun · a commonsense rule (or set... heuristic programheuristic rule

Word family

Derived forms heuristicalheuristicallyhyperheuristicmetaheuristicnon-heuristicsemiheuristicunheuristic

Related forms empiric empirical

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

heuristic rule
a practical guideline that helps find a solution without guaranteeing success

Adjective + noun

Etymology

Irregular formation from Ancient Greek εὑρίσκω (heurískō, “I find, discover”) (compare the proper Greek term εὑρετικός (heuretikós)).

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# heuristic

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** /hjuˈɹɪstɪk/
**Frequency rank:** 98538

## Meanings
1. That employs a practical method not guaranteed to be optimal or perfect; either not following or derived from any theory, or based on an advisedly oversimplified one.
2. That provides a useful, but not optimal, solution to a problem. Such algorithms are typically employed either because the only known algorithms that provide optimal solutions use too much time or resources, or else because there is no known algorithm that provides an optimal solution.
3. of or relating to or using a general formulation that serves to guide investigation
4. a commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem

## Examples
- "The heuristic appraisal is the 'identification and evaluation of hints and clues that can provide direction to inquiry in the sometimes large gap between the extremes of complete knowledge and complete ignorance'”.
- If a heuristic algorithm works for most of the input data or its maximum percentage error is tolerable, we may prefer the heuristic algorithm to an optimum algorithm that requires a long time.

## Derived Forms
- heuristical
- heuristically
- hyperheuristic
- metaheuristic
- non-heuristic
- semiheuristic
- unheuristic

## Related Forms
- empiric
- empirical

## Etymology
Irregular formation from Ancient Greek εὑρίσκω (heurískō, “I find, discover”) (compare the proper Greek term εὑρετικός (heuretikós)).

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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