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definitions

presuming

[pri-zoo-ming]
See more synonyms for presuming on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. 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.
  1. to take for granted, assume, or suppose: I presume you're tired after your drive.
  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), pre·sumed, pre·sum·ing.
  1. to take something for granted; suppose.
  2. to act or proceed with unwarrantable or impertinent boldness.
  3. 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

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1. presuppose. 6. overstep.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for presuming

conceited, confident, egotistic, overconfident, presumptuous, proud

Examples from the Web for presuming

Contemporary Examples of presuming

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.

  • 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
  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; daredo you presume to copy my work?
  3. (intr; foll by on or upon) to rely or dependdon't presume on his agreement
  4. 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

v.

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper