assuming
[uh-soo-ming]
- taking too much for granted; presumptuous.
Show More
Origin of assuming
assume
[uh-soom]
- to take for granted or without proof: to assume that everyone wants peace.
- to take upon oneself; undertake: to assume an obligation.
- to take over the duties or responsibilities of: to assume the office of treasurer.
- to take on (a particular character, quality, mode of life, etc.); adopt: He assumed the style of an aggressive go-getter.
- to take on; be invested or endowed with: The situation assumed a threatening character.
- to pretend to have or be; feign: to assume a humble manner.
- to appropriate or arrogate; seize; usurp: to assume a right to oneself; to assume control.
- to take upon oneself (the debts or obligations of another).
- Archaic. to take into relation or association; adopt.
Show More
- to take something for granted; presume.
Show More
Origin of assume
Synonym study
6. assume, Pretend, affect, feign imply an attempt to create a false appearance. To assume is to take on or put on a specific outward appearance, often (but not always) with intent to deceive: to assume an air of indifference. To pretend is to create an imaginary characteristic or to play a part: to pretend sorrow. To affect is to make a consciously artificial show of having qualities that one thinks would look well and impress others: to affect shyness. To feign implies using ingenuity in pretense, and some degree of imitation of appearance or characteristics: to feign surprise.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for assuming
Contemporary Examples
But assuming things were ever that hopeful, heaven was short-lived, and trouble followed.
A French sales clerk hovers over Mariame, as if assuming she is shoplifting because she is black and from the projects.
What ISIS can do with the drone, assuming one is in their hands, is an open question.
Assuming he sticks it out, the election will be thrown into the Vermont state house, where Democrats have a sizeable advantage.
Assuming that members of Congress who live in D.C. are adults, they, too, will be permitted to get stoned at their leisure.
Historical Examples
You are assuming that the child does not know its own business, and that you do.
A Treatise on Parents and ChildrenGeorge Bernard Shaw
The danger lies in assuming that we shall get on any better.
A Treatise on Parents and ChildrenGeorge Bernard Shaw
Assuming the truth of those statements, I apply to you for information.
The horizon was growing indistinct, assuming a mud-colored tinge as it were.
L'AssommoirEmile Zola
"Because," she replied slowly, assuming a doctorial expression.
assuming
- expecting too much; presumptuous; arrogant
Show More
- (often foll by that) if it is assumed or taken for granted (that)even assuming he understands the problem, he will never take any action
Show More
assume
- (may take a clause as object) to take for granted; accept without proof; supposeto assume that someone is sane
- to take upon oneself; undertake or take on or over (a position, responsibility, etc)to assume office
- to pretend to; feignhe assumed indifference, although the news affected him deeply
- to take or put on; adoptthe problem assumed gigantic proportions
- to appropriate or usurp (power, control, etc); arrogatethe revolutionaries assumed control of the city
- Christianity (of God) to take up (the soul of a believer) into heaven
Show More
Word Origin
C15: from Latin assūmere to take up, from sūmere to take up, from sub- + emere to take
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
Word Origin and History for assuming
assume
v.
early 15c., assumpten "to receive up into heaven" (especially of the Virgin Mary), also assumen "to arrogate," from Latin assumere "to take up, take to oneself," from ad- "to, up" (see ad-) + sumere "to take," from sub "under" + emere "to take" (see exempt (adj.)).
Meaning "to suppose, to take for granted as the basis of argument" is first recorded 1590s; that of "to take or put on (an appearance, etc.)" is from c.1600. Related: Assumed; assuming. Early past participle was assumpt. In rhetorical usage, assume expresses what the assumer postulates, often as a confessed hypothesis; presume expresses what the presumer really believes.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper