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

Example Sentences

Gaining access to the highly enriched uranium presents another set of challenges, assuming the US knows where it is.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

So whatever comes to you when your mother passes away — assuming she either does not make a will or makes one that includes her children — will include what remains of your grandmother’s estate.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

Pakistan is assuming a prominent role in mediating between the U.S. and Iran, offering to host peace talks and facilitating back-channel communications.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

That’s another $200 billion or so, enough to get Musk to a trillion, assuming Tesla stock stays flat.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Hooke pointed out the error and suggested that the correct orbit followed by the falling object, assuming it could pass through the solid Earth without resistance, would be a kind of shrinking ellipse.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin