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

---

presumably British  

/ prɪˈzjuːməblɪ /

adverb

1. (sentence modifier) one presumes or supposes that

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

---

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.

Example Sentences

For nearly two days, the White House avoided press questions about the downed fighter jet, presumably to shut down any discussion of the rescue mission that was underway.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

They stared down presumably rougher Texas in the national semifinals and painted the floor in streaks of Longhorn and won the second-most important game of their lives.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

I am not sure endowing Sonny with a social conscience, presumably intended to point up the material’s contemporary relevance, is an improvement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

"If this were merely a contracting impasse, DoW would presumably have just stopped using Claude," Judge Lin wrote, referencing the Department of War, a secondary name for the Department of Defense.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Around it are wide wastes, wan and cold, and meadows of asphodel, presumably strange, pallid, ghostly flowers.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Related Words

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