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.

Related Words

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