presumably

American  

[pri-zoo-muh-blee] / prɪˈzu mə bli /

adverb

1. by assuming reasonably; probably.

   Since he is a consistent winner, he is presumably a superior player.

   Synonyms:

   apparently, likely, doubtless

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presumably British  

/ prɪˈzjuːməblɪ /

adverb

1. (sentence modifier) one presumes or supposes that

   presumably he won't see you, if you're leaving tomorrow

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Etymology

Origin of presumably

First recorded in 1640–50; presumable + -ly

Example Sentences

Investors presumably were looking to get a piece of SpaceX before its hotly anticipated initial public offering, which may launch later this year.

From The Wall Street Journal

The opera ends with Akhnaten’s son, presumably Tutankhamun, restoring polytheism, and then, once the staging jumps millennia into the future, it’s rediscovered by modern-day tourists.

From Los Angeles Times

That 20-day deadline was put on hold by the appeals court, but presumably the countdown has resumed — or is about to.

From Los Angeles Times

Earlier, eight people in black, presumably Oseguera's family members, rode in two cars that followed the white hearse with his remains to the graveyard.

From Barron's

A man appeared in the passage to the dining room—Mr. Archer, presumably—followed by a boy and a girl.

From Literature

Related Words

• apparently
• doubtless
• probably
• seemingly
• supposedly
• surely