presume

[ pri-zoom ]

verb (used with object)

, pre·sumed, pre·sum·ing.

1. to take for granted, assume, or suppose:

   I presume you're tired after your drive.

   Synonyms: presuppose

2. Law. to assume as true in the absence of proof to the contrary.
3. to undertake with unwarrantable boldness.
4. to undertake (to do something) without right or permission:

   to presume to speak for another.

verb (used without object)

, pre·sumed, pre·sum·ing.

1. to take something for granted; suppose.
2. to act or proceed with unwarrantable or impertinent boldness.

   Synonyms: overstep

3. to go too far in acting unwarrantably or in taking liberties (usually followed by on or upon ):

   Do not presume upon his tolerance.

presume

/ prɪˈzjuːmɪdlɪ; 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 his agreement

4. law to take as proved until contrary evidence is produced

Derived Forms

• preˈsumingly, adverb
• preˈsumer, noun
• preˈsuming, adjective
• presumedly, adverb

Other Words From

• pre·sum·ed·ly [pri-, zoo, -mid-lee], adverb
• pre·sumer noun
• unpre·sumed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of presume¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English presumen, from Old French presumer, from Latin praesūmere “to take beforehand” (in Late Latin: “to take for granted, assume, dare”), from prae- pre- + sūmere “to take up” ( consume )

Word History and Origins

Origin of presume¹

C14: via Old French from Latin praesūmere to take in advance, from prae before + sūmere to assume

Example Sentences

Over the years, the Eritrean government has provided no information on his whereabouts or health, and many who were jailed alongside him are presumed dead.

From BBC

Finally, on 5 November, the court declared it had no option but to “presume” that no such ban notification exists and therefore couldn’t assess its validity.

From BBC

It was widely presumed that China, frustrated by the junta’s refusal to act, had given the insurgents a green light to move in and do so.

From BBC

Harris enters election day presumed to capture 226 votes from Democratic-leaning states, according to the Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper.

From Los Angeles Times

Senate Bill 1958 met a similar fate, according to the Oklahoma Voice, and is presumed dead after failing get a hearing by the Judiciary Committee.

From Salon

Related Words

• assume
• count on
• guess
• infer
• pretend
• suppose
• surmise

Presume vs. Assume

What is the difference between presume and assume?

Presume and assume have very similar meanings—they both mean to suppose that something is true without being able to confirm it. Assume, however, usually implies that the conclusion reached by the person doing the assuming is not based on much. Presume, on the other hand, often implies that the conclusion is based on something a bit stronger, such as some evidence or past situations in which the same thing happened.

For example, you might presume that someone will be attending a meeting because they always attend and you have no reason to think they won’t be there. The word assume could also be used in this scenario, but it’s most likely to be used in situations in which there was less of a reason to have come to a certain conclusion. For example, you might assume something about someone you’ve just met based only on how they look (which is never a good idea).

A good way to remember this difference in how the two words are used is that the prefix pre- in presume means “before”—when you presume things, you’re often basing that presumption on something that has happened before. As for assume, well, we’ll just assume you know a good way of remembering how it’s used.

Presume and assume also have a few meanings that don’t overlap. Presume can mean to undertake or do something without permission or justification, as in I don’t presume to speak for the entire class. Assume can mean to take on, adopt, or be endowed with something, as in I don’t want to assume any new responsibilities.

Here are examples of presume and assume used correctly in a sentence.

Example: I presumed, based on your resume, that you knew how to work with this software.

Example: I assumed you knew what you were doing when you volunteered to bake the cake, but apparently I shouldn’t have.

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between presume and assume.

Quiz yourself on presume vs. assume!

Is presume or assume the better choice in the following sentence?

We don’t know anything, so we shouldn’t _____ anything.