WordGarden.ioassume
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /əsˈuːm/
US
- /əˈsum/
Meanings
Verb
to think or take for granted that something is true without full proof
to take on or adopt a role, responsibility, quality, or form
to put on a manner or appearance, or to pretend to be something
More meaningsFewer meanings
in reasoning or mathematics, to take something as given for argument or calculation
Beyond the definition
To assume something is to accept it as true without being fully certain. It's like building a little castle in the air—you can start from a useful idea, but that idea may still float above solid ground. You might assume your friend likes chocolate because they always choose chocolate desserts, even though you haven't asked them directly. Or a detective might assume a suspect had a motive from limited clues, which can be practical for a hunch but risky for a conclusion. It can also mean to take on a role or responsibility, as when a king assumes the throne.
The word "assume" has a useful split personality. Most often, it means to accept a proposition as true without enough evidence yet. In ordinary conversation, this might be a helpful shortcut, as in, "I assumed she was coming because she seemed interested." In analysis or science, people may say "assuming X is true, then Y follows," treating the claim as a starting point rather than proven fact. In both cases, it is a guess that should be tested before it hardens into truth.
More formally, assume means to take on a role, responsibility, or authority: a prince assumes the throne, a company assumes the debts of a failed partner, or a pilot assumes command of a flight. Closely related is the idea of adopting a style, posture, or expression—someone may assume an air of indifference to keep nervousness hidden. In these uses, the word suggests an intentional taking-on of something and can involve personal, social, or legal responsibility.
Its root is Latin assumere, "to take to oneself." That origin fits all its meanings: whether we assume an idea, a position, or a persona, we are actively taking something on first and checking later.
Examples
- 1
Prior knowledge
I assumed you already knew about the change.
- 2
Social assumptions
Don't assume that everyone has the same experience as you.
- 3
Test results
We can't assume anything until we see the test results.
- 4
Responsibility
After the manager left, Maya assumed responsibility for the team.
- Phraseassume responsibility
accept the duty of dealing with something
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Taking office
The new president will assume office in July.
- Phraseassume office
officially begin an important position
- 6
Forecasting
These figures assume a 5% increase in sales next year.
- Patternassume + fact/number
use it as the basis for a plan or calculation
- 7
Caregiving roles
In the report, women are often assumed to be the main caregivers.
- Patternbe assumed to + verb
be believed without real proof
- 8
Conditional planning
Assuming the weather stays clear, we'll start early tomorrow.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- assumeverb
Forms
- assumedpast tenseverb
- assuming-ing formverb
- assumesverb