presuming

[pri-zoo-ming]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR presuming ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

presumptuous.

Origin of presuming

First recorded in 1575–85; presume + -ing²

Related formspre·sum·ing·ly, adverbun·pre·sum·ing, adjective

presume

[pri-zoom]

verb (used with object), pre·sumed, pre·sum·ing.

to take for granted, assume, or suppose: I presume you're tired after your drive.

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

to undertake with unwarrantable boldness.

to undertake (to do something) without right or permission: to presume to speak for another.

verb (used without object), pre·sumed, pre·sum·ing.

to take something for granted; suppose.

to act or proceed with unwarrantable or impertinent boldness.

to go too far in acting unwarrantably or in taking liberties (usually followed by on or upon): Do not presume upon his tolerance.

Origin of presume

1300–50; Middle English presumen (< Old French presumer) < Latin praesūmere to take beforehand (Late Latin: take for granted, assume, dare), equivalent to prae- pre- + sūmere to take up, suppose (see consume)

Related formspre·sum·ed·ly

[pri-zoo-mid-lee] /prɪˈzu mɪd li/, adverbpre·sum·er, nounun·pre·sumed, adjective

Synonyms for presume

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR presume ON THESAURUS.COM

1. presuppose. 6. overstep.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for presuming

conceited, confident, egotistic, overconfident, presumptuous, proud

Examples from the Web for presuming

Contemporary Examples of presuming

Presuming his demographic is largely the same as what it was when he was at Fox, they are not wealthy people.
Glenn Beck Is Now Selling Hipster Clothes. Really.
Ana Marie Cox
December 20, 2014
One of the mobs caught Dr. Saptal Singh, beat him unconscious—and presuming him dead—threw his body off a train.
As 30-Year Anniversary of Mass Killings in India Arrives, Sikhs Find Safety in USA
Simran Jeet Singh
October 31, 2014
Presuming to interpret and explain events to an elite readership also risked alienating clients.
How the News Business Found Its Footing
Nick Romeo
June 22, 2014
Presuming the bill clears the 60-vote hurdle on Monday, it will face a number of obstacles before becoming law.
Equal Rights Showdown in the Senate With Historic ENDA Vote
Ben Jacobs
November 4, 2013
Presuming it to be a private passenger bus, the 23-year-old woman reportedly boarded the bus with a male friend at 9:15 p.m.
Heinous Bus Gang-Rape Outrages India
Shivam Vij
December 19, 2012

Historical Examples of presuming

But I did none of these things—that is, nothing Paul Pryish or presuming.
The Underdog
F. Hopkinson Smith
Galusha Cabot Bangs was not a presuming person and he was troubled.
Galusha the Magnificent
Joseph C. Lincoln
It would be presuming to say that it is a permanent improvement.
The Goat-gland Transplantation
Sydney B. Flower
I was presuming upon a past which has no relation to the present.
Lord Kilgobbin
Charles Lever
You won't think I'm presuming on our slight acquaintanceship?'
A Great Man
Arnold Bennett

British Dictionary definitions for presuming

presume

verb

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

(when tr, often foll by an infinitive) to take upon oneself (to do something) without warrant or permission; daredo you presume to copy my work?

(intr; foll by on or upon) to rely or dependdon't presume on his agreement

law to take as proved until contrary evidence is produced

Derived Formspresumedly (prɪˈzjuːmɪdlɪ), adverbpresumer, nounpresuming, adjectivepresumingly, adverb

Word Origin for presume

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for presuming

presume

late 14c., "to take upon oneself, to take liberty," also "to take for granted, presuppose," especially overconfidently, from Old French presumer (12c.) and directly from Latin praesumere "anticipate," in Late Latin, "assume" (see presumption). Related: Presumed; presumedly; presuming.