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

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's a bit presumptuous of Google to say they will 'fix' the issue in a few weeks. But they will have to do something," she said.

From BBC

Finneas: Not to be too presumptuous, but I think we really write from a place of fantasy and we’re very interested in concept.

From Los Angeles Times

Maybe it was presumptuous for me to interfere in that, but it was my way to resist and allow you to be totally emotional.

From Salon

Related Words

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