assume

[ uh-soom ]

verb (used with object)

, as·sumed, as·sum·ing.

1. to take for granted or without proof:

   to assume that everyone wants peace.

   Synonyms: presuppose, posit, postulate, suppose

2. to take upon oneself; undertake:

   to assume an obligation.

3. to take over the duties or responsibilities of:

   to assume the office of treasurer.

4. to take on (a particular character, quality, mode of life, etc.); adopt:

   He assumed the style of an aggressive go-getter.

5. to take on; be invested or endowed with:

   The situation assumed a threatening character.

6. to pretend to have or be; feign:

   to assume a humble manner.

7. to appropriate or arrogate; seize; usurp:

   to assume a right to oneself; to assume control.

8. to take upon oneself (the debts or obligations of another).
9. Archaic. to take into relation or association; adopt.

verb (used without object)

, as·sumed, as·sum·ing.

1. to take something for granted; presume.

assume

/ əˈsjuːm /

verb

1. may take a clause as object to take for granted; accept without proof; suppose

   to assume that someone is sane

2. to take upon oneself; undertake or take on or over (a position, responsibility, etc)

   to assume office

3. to pretend to; feign

   he assumed indifference, although the news affected him deeply

4. to take or put on; adopt

   the problem assumed gigantic proportions

5. to appropriate or usurp (power, control, etc); arrogate

   the revolutionaries assumed control of the city

6. Christianity (of God) to take up (the soul of a believer) into heaven

Derived Forms

• asˈsumer, noun
• asˈsumable, adjective

Other Words From

• as·sumer noun
• over·as·sume verb (used with object) overassumed overassuming
• preas·sume verb (used with object) preassumed preassuming
• reas·sume verb (used with object) reassumed reassuming

Word History and Origins

Origin of assume¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English (from Anglo-French assumer ), from Latin assūmere “to take to, adopt,” equivalent to as- “toward” + sūmere “to take up”; as-, consume

Word History and Origins

Origin of assume¹

C15: from Latin assūmere to take up, from sūmere to take up, from sub- + emere to take

Synonym Study

See pretend.

Example Sentences

“If you assume that all home modifications are effective, you’re creating a false sense of security,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Our phones assume we want to record everything forever, whereas most of the time we’re not actively approaching life that way.

From Slate

Although it’s safe to assume everyone who experienced such an incident was well and truly freaked out, only 51 reported a physical injury.

From Los Angeles Times

But it’s fair to assume that the second Trump administration will continue this way.

From BBC

Stephen Miller, a longtime adviser to President-elect Donald J. Trump, is expected to assume a central role in policy planning for the incoming administration, according to the New York Times.

From Salon

Related Words

• accept
• conclude
• consider
• estimate
• expect
• guess
• infer
• presume
• speculate
• suspect
• think
• understand