presumptive

[ pri-zuhmp-tiv ]

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.

presumptive

/ 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

Derived Forms

• preˈsumptively, adverb
• preˈsumptiveness, noun

Other Words From

• pre·sumptive·ly adverb
• nonpre·sumptive adjective
• nonpre·sumptive·ly adverb
• over·pre·sumptive adjective
• over·pre·sumptive·ly adverb
• unpre·sumptive adjective
• unpre·sumptive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of presumptive¹

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

Example Sentences

The teen is the first presumptive case of H5N1 bird flu in Canada.

From Los Angeles Times

The first time we heard our daughter’s anti-Trump rant earlier in the year, around the time VP Harris became the presumptive nominee, we laughed, not knowing where it came from.

From Salon

He finally got his chance last December at the Holiday Bowl, where he threw for six touchdowns, securing his place as the presumptive starter for the following season.

From Los Angeles Times

In some states, early voting started less than two months after Kamala Harris became the Democrats’ presumptive nominee.

From Slate

Those factors still dominate in the halls of power, but in the stories we tell, they’re no longer the presumptive starting point.

From Slate

Related Words

• probable