assume

[ uh-soom ]
See synonyms for: assumeassumedassumesassuming on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),as·sumed, as·sum·ing.
  1. to take for granted or without proof: to assume that everyone wants peace.

  2. to take upon oneself; undertake: to assume an obligation.

  1. to take over the duties or responsibilities of: to assume the office of treasurer.

  2. to take on (a particular character, quality, mode of life, etc.); adopt: He assumed the style of an aggressive go-getter.

  3. to take on; be invested or endowed with: The situation assumed a threatening character.

  4. to pretend to have or be; feign: to assume a humble manner.

  5. to appropriate or arrogate; seize; usurp: to assume a right to oneself; to assume control.

  6. to take upon oneself (the debts or obligations of another).

  7. Archaic. to take into relation or association; adopt.

verb (used without object),as·sumed, as·sum·ing.
  1. to take something for granted; presume.

Origin of assume

1
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English (from Anglo-French assumer ), from Latin assūmere “to take to, adopt,” equivalent to as- “toward” + sūmere “to take up”; see as-, consume

synonym study For assume

6. See pretend.

Other words for assume

Other words from assume

  • as·sum·er, noun
  • o·ver·as·sume, verb (used with object), o·ver·as·sumed, o·ver·as·sum·ing.
  • pre·as·sume, verb (used with object), pre·as·sumed, pre·as·sum·ing.
  • re·as·sume, verb (used with object), re·as·sumed, re·as·sum·ing.

Words Nearby assume

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use assume in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for assume

assume

/ (əˈsjuːm) /


verb(tr)
  1. (may take a clause as object) to take for granted; accept without proof; suppose: to assume that someone is sane

  2. to take upon oneself; undertake or take on or over (a position, responsibility, etc): to assume office

  1. to pretend to; feign: he assumed indifference, although the news affected him deeply

  2. to take or put on; adopt: the problem assumed gigantic proportions

  3. to appropriate or usurp (power, control, etc); arrogate: the revolutionaries assumed control of the city

  4. Christianity (of God) to take up (the soul of a believer) into heaven

Origin of assume

1
C15: from Latin assūmere to take up, from sūmere to take up, from sub- + emere to take

Derived forms of assume

  • assumable, adjective
  • assumer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012