assuming

[ uh-soo-ming ]

/ əˈsu mɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR assuming ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

taking too much for granted; presumptuous.

Nearby words

Origin of assuming

First recorded in 1595–1605; assume + -ing²

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

Definition for assuming (2 of 2)

assume

[ uh-soom ]

/ əˈsum /

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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

Assuming you go into an office, chances are every day is casual Friday.
This One Picture of Telly Savalas Refutes All Fears That Progress Has Ended|Nick Gillespie|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Nor I,” declared Bentley, with no need of assuming a part to say it.
Claim Number One|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
I am assuming, of course, that the company knows its own interests just as well as you and your fellow workmen know yours.
The Common Sense of Socialism|John Spargo
Surely I am right in assuming that to live for others is unselfish, and that you recognize it as being so.
Paths of Judgement|Anne Douglas Sedgwick
Assuming the milk to be normal in character, success depends on the use of a proper combination of these factors.
The Book of Cheese|Charles Thom and Walter Warner Fisk
The assuming a character ourselves, or the seeing others assume an imaginary character, is an enjoyment natural to humanity.
Chronicles of the Canongate|Sir Walter Scott

British Dictionary definitions for assuming (1 of 2)

assuming

/ (əˈsjuːmɪŋ) /

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

British Dictionary definitions for assuming (2 of 2)

assume

/ (əˈsjuːm) /

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

assuming

adjective

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of assuming

Definition for assuming (2 of 2)

assume

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

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

Origin of assume

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for assuming

British Dictionary definitions for assuming (1 of 2)

assuming

adjective

conjunction

British Dictionary definitions for assuming (2 of 2)

assume

verb (tr)

Word Origin for assume