presumptive
Americanadjective
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affording ground for belief or presumption.
presumptive evidence.
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based on likelihood or presumption.
a presumptive title; the presumptive nominee.
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regarded as such by presumption; based on inference; assumed.
a presumptive case of pneumonia.
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Embryology. pertaining to the part of an embryo that, in the course of normal development, will predictably become a particular structure or region.
adjective
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based on presumption or probability
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affording reasonable ground for belief
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of or relating to embryonic tissues that become differentiated into a particular tissue or organ
presumptive epidermis
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of presumptive
From the Late Latin word praesūmptīvus, dating back to 1555–65. See presumption, -ive
Explanation
Having a good reason to believe that something is true means that it is presumptive — you could call a person you assume will be nominated for school president the "presumptive nominee." After an election, when the votes are still being counted but it's clear who the winner will be, reporters often talk about that person as the presumptive winner. And if a doctor were fairly certain you had strep throat, she might call it her presumptive diagnosis. The Latin root word is praesumptionem, which means "confidence or audacity."
Vocabulary lists containing presumptive
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–2020) Tribute List
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United States v. Nixon (1974)
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Cosmos
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Along with this “absolute immunity,” the justices also granted “at least presumptive immunity” for other official acts.
From Salon ● Oct. 27, 2026
If the Dodgers win the series, the Milwaukee winter could be cold and long, with fans tortured by visions of Skubal and presumptive Cy Young winner Jacob Misiorowski starting four games in the series.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2026
Mr. Bardella is National Rally’s presumptive candidate if Ms. Le Pen opts not to run, and early polling suggests he’d have a shot at winning.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026
British Columbia health officer Bonnie Henry said the person's test came back as a presumptive positive on Friday, meaning that it still remains to be confirmed by a national microbiology lab.
From BBC ● May 16, 2026
If Zeitoun was transferred to a secret prison, their lives would be reversed completely: they would go from the well-off children of a successful man to the disgraced children of a presumptive sleeper-cell mastermind.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
