presumably
Americanadverb
adverb
Etymology
Origin of presumably
First recorded in 1640–50; presumable + -ly
Explanation
Presumably you are reading these word blurbs because you're interested in learning some useful words. You can add presumably to any statement that you think is true — it indicates a logical conclusion for which you don't have definite proof. When you add presumably to whatever you're saying, you're giving notice that you think what you're saying is true but telling your listener not to ask for the evidence. You might watch beer commercials and say to yourself, "Presumably advertisers think people will find this commercial amusing and want to run out and buy tubs of this beer." The adverb presumably is related to the nouns presumption and assumption, which are also notions you accept without proof.
Vocabulary lists containing presumably
Holes
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Continuity of selection would presumably help Carrick achieve defensive stability.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026
Policy wonks are not typically famous: If they are, that fame is restricted to a league of Beltway professionals—famous in the way that really good brain surgeons are famous to other, presumably lesser brain surgeons.
From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026
Footage shows the security employee going back down the tunnel, presumably in search of the heckler, but it is unclear what happened after that.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
The people he deems “weirdos” far outnumber those in his narrow category, presumably of non-weirdos, many times over.
From Salon ● Oct. 7, 2026
“I am sorry, sirs,” said the man—the father, presumably.
From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
