heuristic 

As an adjective, heuristic (pronounced from the Greek "heuriskein" meaning "to discover") pertains to the process of gaining knowledge or some desired result by intelligent guesswork rather than by following some preestablished formula. (Heuristic can be contrasted with algorithmic.)

a heuristic is a specific rule-of-thumb or argument derived from experience

heuristic by DL September 13, 2004

heuristic 

based on wild guesswork, and prone to error

That problem is too hard, let's just make a heuristic for it.

heuristic by glor8 August 5, 2016

heuristic 

a heuristic process or method.

the study and use of heuristic techniques.

Bill did that heuristically

heuristic by eaitsinagay January 2, 2021

Heuristic 

Larger than expected

Oh Mike! It’s heuristic!

Heuristic by anonymous March 1, 2025

Heuristic Algorithm 

A learning or discovering technique based on experience. Or, a way to try something new (like a new position), based on what you already know. If you know what I mean...

-"Sheila and I are going to go work out some serious Heuristic Algorithms tonight."

-"I find this solution to your Heuristic Algorithm really painful."

-"You should try Dave's Heuristic Algorithm! It's got some really intense solutions!"

Heuristic Algorithm by Exuat October 5, 2010

Heuristic Logic

A pragmatic framework for reasoning under uncertainty and time constraints, using rules of thumb (heuristics) rather than guaranteed correct algorithms. Heuristic logic is not a formal system but a descriptive account of how humans and AI often solve problems: they employ fast, frugal, and often logically imperfect methods (e.g., “if it walks like a duck, it probably is a duck”) that work well enough in most real‑world situations. It is contrasted with algorithmic logic (guaranteed optimal) and with fallacious reasoning (heuristics can produce errors but are not necessarily fallacies). Herbert Simon’s bounded rationality and Gerd Gigerenzer’s “fast and frugal heuristics” are key influences. In online debates, “heuristic logic” is used to defend practical decision‑making against demands for perfect proof: “It’s not formal proof, but it’s a good enough heuristic for daily life.”

Example: “He insisted on a double‑blind study before buying a used car. She replied: ‘That’s unrealistic. Heuristic logic is fine here: check a few things, trust your gut, move on. Not every decision needs scientific rigor.’”

Heuristic Logic by Dumu The Void May 27, 2026

availability heuristic 

A type of heuristic (mental shortcut, as opposed to algorithm) that involves using the most mentally immediate information.

Alternatively, a shortcut in mate selection in which one chooses whoever happens to be available.

I fell prey to my availability heuristic in deciding which restaurant to go to. Subway again, I guess.

availability heuristic by Ebrbfureh September 4, 2016