presumptive

American  

[pri-zuhmp-tiv] / prɪˈzʌmp tɪv /

adjective

1. affording ground for belief or presumption.

   presumptive evidence.

2. based on likelihood or presumption.

   a presumptive title; the presumptive nominee.

3. regarded as such by presumption; based on inference; assumed.

   a presumptive case of pneumonia.

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

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presumptive British  

/ prɪˈzʌmptɪv /

adjective

1. based on presumption or probability

2. affording reasonable ground for belief

3. of or relating to embryonic tissues that become differentiated into a particular tissue or organ

   presumptive epidermis

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Other Word Forms

• nonpresumptive adjective
• nonpresumptively adverb
• overpresumptive adjective
• overpresumptively adverb
• presumptively adverb
• presumptiveness noun
• unpresumptive adjective
• unpresumptively adverb

Etymology

Origin of presumptive

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

Example Sentences

In an interview this week, Hassett played down speculation that he was the presumptive favorite in betting markets.

From The Wall Street Journal

J’Onre Reed started 25 games at Syracuse the past two seasons before transferring to USC, where he entered spring practice as the presumptive starter.

From Los Angeles Times

Left tackle Elijah Paige said Thursday that he has seen a major change in Maiava since he entered the offseason as the presumptive starter.

From Los Angeles Times

Mamdani’s meteoric rise to becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee for mayor of New York, an office that is both local and national, has made him many enemies in the media.

From Salon

“We believe that the different reagent led to a higher presumptive positivity rate on screening results than the standard reagent used by Quest Diagnostics,” the statement read.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• probable