presumably

American  

[pri-zoo-muh-blee] / prɪˈzu mə bli /

adverb

1. by assuming reasonably; probably.

   Since he is a consistent winner, he is presumably a superior player.

   Synonyms:

   apparently, likely, doubtless

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presumably British  

/ prɪˈzjuːməblɪ /

adverb

1. (sentence modifier) one presumes or supposes that

   presumably he won't see you, if you're leaving tomorrow

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Etymology

Origin of presumably

First recorded in 1640–50; presumable + -ly

Explanation

Presumably you are reading these word blurbs because you're interested in learning some useful words. You can add presumably to any statement that you think is true — it indicates a logical conclusion for which you don't have definite proof. When you add presumably to whatever you're saying, you're giving notice that you think what you're saying is true but telling your listener not to ask for the evidence. You might watch beer commercials and say to yourself, "Presumably advertisers think people will find this commercial amusing and want to run out and buy tubs of this beer." The adverb presumably is related to the nouns presumption and assumption, which are also notions you accept without proof.

Example Sentences

You’ve already given him $69,000 toward his housing fund and $95,000 for your granddaughter’s 529 plan and, presumably, you plan to give more when the new baby arrives.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

For nearly two days, the White House avoided press questions about the downed fighter jet, presumably to shut down any discussion of the rescue mission that was underway.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Mr. Farage, who at other times presents himself as something of a free-marketeer, presumably is smart enough to understand Britain can’t afford this.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Instead, both of them, along with other associates, disappeared the next day, presumably escaping to the UAE, reports said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

The next morning, she’d found Lexie’s own shirt on her bed: laundered and carefully folded by Mia, presumably left there to be returned at school.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

Related Words

• apparently
• doubtless
• probably
• seemingly
• supposedly
• surely