Vermoede

Vermoede is a Dutch noun that denotes a belief that something is true based on incomplete or insufficient evidence. It corresponds to the English terms suspicion or assumption and is often used to describe a tentative conclusion in investigative work, journalism, or everyday reasoning. The standard noun form is het vermoeden, and the plural is de vermoedens.

The word is closely related to the verb vermoeden, meaning to suspect or to suppose, and to the adjective vermoedelijk, meaning likely or probable. While vermoeden refers to the act of considering something as possible, vermoede as a standalone noun is less common in formal writing; speakers usually use het vermoeden to express the idea more precisely.

Usage and nuance: a vermoede implies uncertainty and is not proof of a fact. It is frequently framed with qualifiers such as waarschijnlijk (probably) or mogelijk (possibly). In formal or legal contexts, het vermoeden is distinguished from concrete evidence, with the latter requiring verification.

See also: vermoeden (verb), vermoedelijk (likely), vermoeden (as a noun in its standard form het vermoeden). Cognates exist in other Germanic languages, such as German Vermutung and Afrikaans vermoed; these share the same etymological roots and similar meanings related to guesswork or supposition.