presumptuous

[ pri-zuhmp-choo-uhs ]

adjective

1. full of, characterized by, or showing presumption or readiness to presume in conduct or thought, as by saying or doing something without right or permission.

   Synonyms: arrogant, fresh, audacious, impertinent

   Antonyms: unassuming, modest

2. unwarrantedly or impertinently bold; forward.

   Synonyms: arrogant, fresh, audacious, impertinent

   Antonyms: unassuming, modest

3. Obsolete. presumptive.

presumptuous

/ prɪˈzʌmptjʊəs /

adjective

1. characterized by presumption or tending to presume; bold; forward
2. an obsolete word for presumptive

Derived Forms

• preˈsumptuousness, noun
• preˈsumptuously, adverb

Other Words From

• pre·sumptu·ous·ly adverb
• pre·sumptu·ous·ness noun
• over·pre·sumptu·ous adjective
• over·pre·sumptu·ous·ly adverb
• over·pre·sumptu·ous·ness noun
• unpre·sumptu·ous adjective
• unpre·sumptu·ous·ly adverb
• unpre·sumptu·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of presumptuous¹

1300–50; Middle English < Late Latin praesūmptuōsus, variant of Latin praesūmptiōsus. See presumption, -ous

Synonym Study

See bold.

Example Sentences

We played it a bit presumptuous.

From Salon

I don’t think he was that presumptuous when he was in court.

From Salon

Then again, I knew little of my presumptuous neighbor’s tastes.

From Los Angeles Times

It is an oddly presumptuous theme for a three-star general—a hero of both Iraq wars—who was, and is, more intellectual than most of his Army brethren but who had never worked in Washington or engaged in any policy issues outside the Middle East.

From Slate

Mads Mikkelsen stars in this epic period drama as Capt. Ludvig Kahlen, described as “a presumptuous soldier in a flea-ridden uniform” — and that’s what they say to his face.

From New York Times

Related Words

• arrogant
• foolhardy
• overconfident
• pompous
• pretentious
• pushy
• rude
• smug