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presume
[pri-zoom]
verb (used with object)
to take for granted, assume, or suppose.
I presume you're tired after your drive.
Synonyms: presupposeLaw., to assume as true in the absence of proof to the contrary.
to undertake with unwarrantable boldness.
to undertake (to do something) without right or permission.
to presume to speak for another.
verb (used without object)
to take something for granted; suppose.
to act or proceed with unwarrantable or impertinent boldness.
Synonyms: overstepto go too far in acting unwarrantably or in taking liberties (usually followed by on orupon ).
Do not presume upon his tolerance.
presume
/ prɪˈzjuːmɪdlɪ, prɪˈzjuːm /
verb
(when tr, often takes a clause as object) to take (something) for granted; assume
(when tr, often foll by an infinitive) to take upon oneself (to do something) without warrant or permission; dare
do you presume to copy my work?
(intr; foll by on or upon) to rely or depend
don't presume on his agreement
law to take as proved until contrary evidence is produced
Other Word Forms
- presumedly adverb
- presumer noun
- unpresumed adjective
- presumingly adverb
- presuming adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of presume1
Example Sentences
Police say instructor Justin Fuller "is presumed to have fallen from the sky without a parachute" during the jump on Saturday.
"The people I was working with presumed Sunderland would be my club," he explains.
"I always presumed that the people who lived here before left them just for now or at least something would be put down so it wasn't that bad," Kassie tells me as she looks around.
Jimmy travels by boat from their home on the Orkney mainland to investigate and discovers his friend’s body close to an archaeological dig, a nearby stone artifact with spiral carvings the presumed weapon.
Choi's sixth novel starts with a 10-year-old girl taking a walk on a beach with her father, then waking up alone on the shore, with her dad presumed drowned.
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When To Use
Presume and assume have very similar meanings—they both mean to suppose that something is true without being able to confirm it. Assume, however, usually implies that the conclusion reached by the person doing the assuming is not based on much. Presume, on the other hand, often implies that the conclusion is based on something a bit stronger, such as some evidence or past situations in which the same thing happened.For example, you might presume that someone will be attending a meeting because they always attend and you have no reason to think they won’t be there. The word assume could also be used in this scenario, but it’s most likely to be used in situations in which there was less of a reason to have come to a certain conclusion. For example, you might assume something about someone you’ve just met based only on how they look (which is never a good idea).A good way to remember this difference in how the two words are used is that the prefix pre- in presume means “before”—when you presume things, you’re often basing that presumption on something that has happened before. As for assume, well, we’ll just assume you know a good way of remembering how it’s used.Presume and assume also have a few meanings that don’t overlap. Presume can mean to undertake or do something without permission or justification, as in I don’t presume to speak for the entire class. Assume can mean to take on, adopt, or be endowed with something, as in I don’t want to assume any new responsibilities.Here are examples of presume and assume used correctly in a sentence.Example: I presumed, based on your resume, that you knew how to work with this software.Example: I assumed you knew what you were doing when you volunteered to bake the cake, but apparently I shouldn’t have.Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between presume and assume.
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