presume
presume Lexical Profile
presume Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To suppose that something is the case on the basis of probability or reasonable evidence.
"I presume that you have already reviewed the contract before coming to the meeting."
To be audacious enough to do something without permission or authority; to dare.
"I would never presume to tell an experienced surgeon how to perform the operation."
To take unscrupulous or unwarranted advantage of someone's kindness, patience, or generosity (usually followed by 'on' or 'upon').
"We must not presume upon their hospitality by staying for an entire month."
Word Nuance & Usage
While often used interchangeably with 'assume', 'presume' typically implies supposing something based on probability or reasonable evidence, whereas 'assume' often implies taking something for granted without proof.
• Rhymes for presume
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French 'presumer', from Latin 'praesumere' ('to take beforehand, anticipate, or take for granted'), formed from 'prae-' ('before') and 'sumere' ('to take').