latent variable
nounUK /ˈleɪ.tənt ˈveə.ri.ə.bəl/
US /ˈleɪ.tənt ˈver.i.ə.bəl/
A hidden thing that you cannot see but that helps explain what you do see.
The scientist used a latent variable to explain why the students' test scores went up together.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. In statistics, a variable that is not directly measured but is estimated from other observed variables.
Intelligence is often treated as a latent variable in psychology studies.
3. In machine learning, a feature that is inferred from data rather than given as input.
The model learned a latent variable that captured the style of each painting.
4. A concept in social science that cannot be observed directly but is reflected in several indicators.
Researchers measured happiness as a latent variable using survey questions.