Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense presumes, present participle presuming, past tense, past participle presumed
1. verb
If you presumethat something is the case, you think that it is the case, although you are not certain.
I presume you're here on business. [VERB that]
Dido's told you the whole sad story, I presume? [VERB that]
'Had he been home all week?'—'I presume so.' [Vso]
...areas that have been presumed to be safe. [beVERB-ed to-infinitive]
The missing person is presumed dead. [beVERB-ed adjective]
[Also it beV-ed that]
Synonyms: believe, think, suppose, assume More Synonyms of presume
2. verb
If you say that someone presumesto do something, you mean that they do it even though they have no right to do it.
[formal]
They're resentful that outsiders presume to meddle in their affairs. [VERB to-infinitive]
I wouldn't presume to question your judgment. [VERB to-infinitive]
Synonyms: dare, venture, undertake, go so far as More Synonyms of presume
3. verb
If an idea, theory, or plan presumes certain facts, it regards them as true so that they can be used as a basis for further ideas and theories.
[formal]
The legal definition of 'know' often presumes mental control. [VERB noun]
The arrangement presumes that both lenders and borrowers are rational. [VERB that]
Synonyms: presuppose, assume, imply, take as read More Synonyms of presume
presume in British English
(prɪˈzjuːm)
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; dare
do you presume to copy my work?
3. (intr; foll by on or upon)
to rely or depend
don't presume on my agreement
4. law
to take as proved until contrary evidence is produced
Derived forms
presumedly (prɪˈzjuːmɪdlɪ)
adverb
presumer (preˈsumer)
noun
presuming (preˈsuming)
adjective
presumingly (preˈsumingly)
adverb
Word origin
C14: via Old French from Latin praesūmere to take in advance, from prae before + sūmere to assume
presume in American English
(priˈzum; priˈzjum; prɪˈzum; prɪˈzjum)
verb transitiveWord forms: preˈsumed or preˈsuming
1.
to take upon oneself without permission or authority; dare (to say or do something); venture
2.
to take for granted; accept as true, lacking proof to the contrary; suppose
3.
to constitute reasonable evidence for supposing
a signed invoice presumes receipt of goods
verb intransitive
4.
to act presumptuously; take liberties
5.
to rely too much (on or upon), as in taking liberties
to presume on another's friendship
6.
to take something for granted
SIMILAR WORDS: preˈsume
SYNONYMY NOTE: presume implies a taking something for granted or accepting it as true, usually on the basisof probable evidence in its favor and the absence of proof to the contrary [the man is presumed to be of sound mind]; presuppose is the broadest term here, sometimes suggesting a taking something for granted unjustifiably[this writer presupposes a too extensive vocabulary in children] and, in another sense, implying that something is required as a preceding condition[brilliant technique in piano playing presupposes years of practice]; assume implies the supposition of something as the basis for argument or action [let us assume his motives were good]; postulate implies the assumption of something as an underlying factor, often one that is incapableof proof [his argument postulates the inherent goodness of man]; premise implies the setting forth of a proposition on which a conclusion can be based