presumptive

[ pri-zuhmp-tiv ]

/ prɪˈzʌmp tɪv /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR presumptive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

affording ground for presumption: presumptive evidence.

based on likelihood or presumption: a presumptive title; the presumptive nominee.

regarded as such by presumption; based on inference.

Embryology. pertaining to the part of an embryo that, in the course of normal development, will predictably become a particular structure or region.

RELATED WORDS

probable, circumstantial, possible

Nearby words

Origin of presumptive

From the Late Latin word praesūmptīvus, dating back to 1555–65. See presumption, -ive

Related forms

pre·sump·tive·ly, adverbnon·pre·sump·tive, adjectivenon·pre·sump·tive·ly, adverbo·ver·pre·sump·tive, adjective

o·ver·pre·sump·tive·ly, adverbun·pre·sump·tive, adjectiveun·pre·sump·tive·ly, adverb

Can be confusedpresumptive presumptuous

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

Examples from the Web for presumptive

These groups turn out in greater numbers in presidential elections, giving Democrats a presumptive advantage heading into 2016.
How Democrats Can Recover|Will Marshall|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The spotlight will soon fix itself on the presumptive Democratic 2016 nominee, whose name, I think, we all know.
Immigration Reform? Not Until Hillary|Michael Tomasky|September 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Whoever wins that primary will still be an underdog against the presumptive Democratic nominee, Rep. Bruce Braley.
Iowa GOP Senate Debate Shows Divides|Ben Jacobs|April 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The presumptive Democratic nominee is Rep. Bruce Braley, a four-term congressman from northeast Iowa.
Pol’s ‘Spoof Ad’ Aims for LOLZ—and Senate Seat|Olivia Nuzzi|April 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Her presumptive Republican opponent, Attorney General Greg Abbott, has already raised nearly $21 million.
Wendy Davis Is (Probably) Running for Texas Governor|Caroline Linton|September 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He was not going to quarrel with his only brother and presumptive heir because he chose to marry a woman who was not to his taste.
Smith and the Pharaohs, and Other Tales|Henry Rider Haggard
Nevertheless, there is presumptive evidence to support the charge.
The Ornithology of Shakespeare|James Edmund Harting
On the other hand, the fact that even one informant remembered the name is presumptive evidence for existence of some sort.
The Aboriginal Population of the North Coast of California|Sherburne Friend Cook
This remarkable coincidence, equally with the other, is presumptive evidence of his guilt.
Assassination of Lincoln: a History of the Great Conspiracy|Thomas Mealey Harris
Sometimes he is styled the Master of Maxwell, as presumptive heir of the title.
The Works of John Knox, Volume 2 (of 6)|John Knox

British Dictionary definitions for presumptive

presumptive

/ (prɪˈzʌmptɪv) /

adjective

based on presumption or probability

affording reasonable ground for belief

of or relating to embryonic tissues that become differentiated into a particular tissue or organpresumptive epidermis

Derived Formspresumptively, adverbpresumptiveness, noun

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 presumptive

presumptive

adj.

"speculative," mid-15c., from French présomptif (15c.), from Medieval Latin presumptivus, from Late Latin praesumptivus, from Latin praesumpt- past participle stem of praesumere (see presume). The heir presumptive (1620s) is "presumed" to be the heir if the heir apparent is unavailable. Related: Presumptively.