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

He lowered his price target on AST to $117 from $139, assuming that pricing will be 15% lower with new competition.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

Mark McGivney, CFO of the professional services and insurance brokerage firm, is assuming additional roles of executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective Wednesday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Then there’s time for the Senate to set its calendar, and then the Senate, assuming there’s been an impeachment in the House, conducts a trial.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

And he is assuming control of a ministry that, by many accounts, is deeply troubled.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

It irritated him: her assuming that everything belonged to Master, her taking command of his kitchen, her ignoring his perfect jollof rice and chicken.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie