assuming

[uh-soo-ming]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR assuming ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

taking too much for granted; presumptuous.

Origin of assuming

First recorded in 1595–1605; assume + -ing²

Related formsas·sum·ing·ly, adverbself-as·sum·ing, adjective

assume

[uh-soom]

verb (used with object), as·sumed, as·sum·ing.

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.

verb (used without object), as·sumed, as·sum·ing.

to take something for granted; presume.

Origin of assume

1400–50; late Middle English (< Anglo-French assumer) < Latin assūmere to take to, adopt, equivalent to as- as- + sūmere to take up; see consume

Related formsas·sum·er, nouno·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.

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. 2019

Related Words for assuming

forward, domineering, overbearing, bold, conceited, disdainful, egotistic, haughty, imperious, pushy, rude

Examples from the Web for assuming

Contemporary Examples of assuming

But assuming things were ever that hopeful, heaven was short-lived, and trouble followed.
The Sydney Astrologer Turned Islamic Radical
Jacob Siegel
December 16, 2014
A French sales clerk hovers over Mariame, as if assuming she is shoplifting because she is black and from the projects.
‘Girlhood’: Coming of Age in France’s Projects
Molly Hannon
November 25, 2014
What ISIS can do with the drone, assuming one is in their hands, is an open question.
ISIS: We Nabbed an Iranian Drone
Jacob Siegel
November 17, 2014
Assuming he sticks it out, the election will be thrown into the Vermont state house, where Democrats have a sizeable advantage.
What the Hell Happened in Vermont?!
Stuart Stevens
November 13, 2014
Assuming that members of Congress who live in D.C. are adults, they, too, will be permitted to get stoned at their leisure.
Can Congress Get Stoned Now That D.C. Has Legalized Marijuana?
Abby Haglage
November 5, 2014

Historical Examples of assuming

You are assuming that the child does not know its own business, and that you do.
A Treatise on Parents and Children
George Bernard Shaw
The danger lies in assuming that we shall get on any better.
A Treatise on Parents and Children
George Bernard Shaw
Assuming the truth of those statements, I apply to you for information.
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 15, July 9, 1870
Various
The horizon was growing indistinct, assuming a mud-colored tinge as it were.
L'Assommoir
Emile Zola
"Because," she replied slowly, assuming a doctorial expression.
Nana, The Miller's Daughter, Captain Burle, Death of Olivier Becaille
Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for assuming

assuming

adjective

expecting too much; presumptuous; arrogant

conjunction

(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

assume

verb (tr)

(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

Derived Formsassumable, adjectiveassumer, noun

Word Origin for assume

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

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.