assuming

American  

[uh-soo-ming] / əˈsu mɪŋ /

adjective

1. taking too much for granted; presumptuous.

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assuming British  

/ əˈsjuːmɪŋ /

adjective

1. expecting too much; presumptuous; arrogant

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conjunction

1. (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

Other Word Forms

• assumingly
  adverb
• self-assuming
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of assuming

First recorded in 1595–1605; assume + -ing ²

Explanation

If someone accuses you of being assuming, he or she thinks you are arrogant or that you take too much for granted. If you take on an assuming tone when you ask for something, people are more likely to feel offended than to be generous. A person who is quiet and modest is often described approvingly as being unassuming. That person's conceited cousin, with an inflated opinion of himself and a strong sense of entitlement, is more of an assuming sort. You can also use this word as a conjunction. Assuming we leave at 9:00 a.m. and there is little traffic, we should arrive in the late afternoon.

Example Sentences

Regarding timing: Is there any financial or legal advantage to liquidating the CDs before your father passes, assuming you are permitted to do so, instead of letting them transfer automatically after death?

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

Curevo’s shingles vaccine has completed a midstage clinical trial and is likely a few years away from becoming a commercial product, assuming it clears a larger, late-stage study and regulatory approval, Skovronsky said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

"I'll see you again at Hyde Park," she said, before adding: "I said that like I'm assuming I'm going to play Hyde Park again. Maybe I will. It was amazing."

From BBC • May 19, 2026

Instead of assuming a detailed theory from the start, scientists begin with a few broad principles they believe nature must obey and then determine what laws naturally emerge.

From Science Daily • May 19, 2026

The teacher, assuming I'd used the wrong word, positioned her index fingers on top of her head, wriggling them as though they were ears.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris