presume

[pri-zoom]

verb (used with object)

presumed, presuming 

1. to take for granted, assume, or suppose.

   I presume you're tired after your drive.

   Synonyms: presuppose

2. Law.,  to assume as true in the absence of proof to the contrary.

3. to undertake with unwarrantable boldness.

4. to undertake (to do something) without right or permission.

   to presume to speak for another.

verb (used without object)

presumed, presuming 

1. to take something for granted; suppose.

2. to act or proceed with unwarrantable or impertinent boldness.

   Synonyms: overstep

3. to go too far in acting unwarrantably or in taking liberties (usually followed by on orupon ).

   Do not presume upon his tolerance.

presume

/ prɪˈzjuːmɪdlɪ, prɪˈzjuːm /

verb

1. (when tr, often takes a clause as object) to take (something) for granted; assume

2. (when tr, often foll by an infinitive) to take upon oneself (to do something) without warrant or permission; dare

   do you presume to copy my work?

3. (intr; foll by on or upon) to rely or depend

   don't presume on his agreement

4. law to take as proved until contrary evidence is produced

Other Word Forms

• presumedly adverb
• presumer noun
• unpresumed adjective
• presumingly adverb
• presuming adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of presume¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English presumen, from Old French presumer, from Latin praesūmere “to take beforehand” (in Late Latin: “to take for granted, assume, dare”), from prae- pre- + sūmere “to take up” ( consume )

Word History and Origins

Origin of presume¹

C14: via Old French from Latin praesūmere to take in advance, from prae before + sūmere to _assume

Example Sentences

Most younger voters have no real conception of an era when working- and middle-class families could presume hard work would lead to better material circumstances.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I presume that when Daddy reached the front doorway, he stopped, removed his hat, said a short prayer, and admired the large wooden entryway.

Read more on Literature

I refuse to bury the Chiefs, because they have torched me so many times—presuming their inevitable demise, only to see clever coach Andy Reid pull off another victory by the walrus whiskers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Earlier this week, dozens of migrants who boarded a small boat in Libya were missing and presumed dead after it capsized in the Mediterranean.

Read more on BBC

December will be the first real test of that presumed shift.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• assume 
• count on 
• guess 
• infer 
• pretend 
• suppose 
• surmise 

When To Use

What is the difference between presume and assume?

Presume and assume have very similar meanings—they both mean to suppose that something is true without being able to confirm it. Assume, however, usually implies that the conclusion reached by the person doing the assuming is not based on much. Presume, on the other hand, often implies that the conclusion is based on something a bit stronger, such as some evidence or past situations in which the same thing happened.For example, you might presume that someone will be attending a meeting because they always attend and you have no reason to think they won’t be there. The word assume could also be used in this scenario, but it’s most likely to be used in situations in which there was less of a reason to have come to a certain conclusion. For example, you might assume something about someone you’ve just met based only on how they look (which is never a good idea).A good way to remember this difference in how the two words are used is that the prefix pre- in presume means “before”—when you presume things, you’re often basing that presumption on something that has happened before. As for assume, well, we’ll just assume you know a good way of remembering how it’s used.Presume and assume also have a few meanings that don’t overlap. Presume can mean to undertake or do something without permission or justification, as in I don’t presume to speak for the entire class. Assume can mean to take on, adopt, or be endowed with something, as in I don’t want to assume any new responsibilities.Here are examples of presume and assume used correctly in a sentence.Example: I presumed, based on your resume, that you knew how to work with this software.Example: I assumed you knew what you were doing when you volunteered to bake the cake, but apparently I shouldn’t have.Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between presume and assume.