inductive

/ɪnˈdʌktɪv/

Other forms: inductively

Inductive is a way to describe something that leads to something else, so when applied to reasoning it just means you collect information and draw conclusions from what you observe.

Logical types may already be familiar with the word inductive as it relates to reasoning. Inductive reasoning is a way to make sense of things by making specific observations and then drawing broad conclusions based on those observations. For example, if you break out in hives every time you eat something with buckwheat flour but you’re fine eating other types of flour, you might use inductive reasoning to conclude you get hives from the buckwheat flour.

Definitions of inductive

1. adjective

   inducing or influencing; leading on
   “"inductive to the sin of Eve"- John Milton”

   synonyms: inducive

   causative

   producing an effect
2. adjective

   arising from inductance
   “inductive reactance”
3. adjective

   of reasoning; proceeding from particular facts to a general conclusion
   “inductive reasoning”

   synonyms:

   synthetic, synthetical

   of a proposition whose truth value is determined by observation or facts

   a posteriori

   involving reasoning from facts or particulars to general principles or from effects to causes

   antonyms:

   deductive

   involving inferences from general principles

   analytic, analytical

   of a proposition that is necessarily true independent of fact or experience

   a priori

   involving deductive reasoning from a general principle to a necessary effect; not supported by fact

   deducible

   capable of being deduced

   illative

   expressing or preceding an inference

   illative, inferential

   resembling or dependent on or arrived at by inference

   inferential

   of reasoning; proceeding from general premisses to a necessary and specific conclusion