WordGarden.iopresume
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /prɪzjˈuːm/
US
- /prɪˈzum/
Meanings
Verb
to suppose something is probably true
to take liberties or act with undue boldness
to accept as legally established unless disproved
Beyond the definition
To presume means to think something is true before you have full proof. Usually there is some reason for that belief, so it is more than a wild guess. You might think a friend likes chocolate because they always pick it for dessert, or a detective might believe a suspect had a motive based on early evidence. The word can also suggest acting too confidently, as if you already know the answer. In law, it is often used for something the court accepts as true unless someone proves otherwise.
To presume is to treat something as true or likely before you have full proof. It is more than a random guess; there is usually some reason behind it, even if that reason is incomplete. For example, saying "I presumed she was coming to the party since she said she was interested" shows that you had a basis for your belief, even if you were not fully sure.
However, the word can also have a negative sense, suggesting too much confidence. To presume upon someone's kindness means to take unfair advantage of their generosity. In the sentence "He presumed he would get the job just because he knew the manager," the idea is that his expectation was too bold and not well supported.
In legal contexts, it has a more exact meaning: something is accepted as true unless evidence is brought to challenge it. This appears in the basic principle that a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The word comes from Latin roots meaning "to take beforehand." In other words, when you do this, you reach a conclusion before all the facts are known. It is a flexible word that can describe ordinary daily assumptions, social overconfidence, and important legal ideas. The main idea is simple: there is usually some basis for the belief, but not complete proof yet.
Examples
- 1
Interview
I presume you're here for the 10 o'clock interview.
- 2
Tentative belief
The meeting will finish by noon, I presume.
- 3
Avoiding assumptions
We can't presume that everyone has a car.
- 4
Police search
The police presume that the missing hikers are still somewhere in the valley.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Legal status
A person is presumed innocent until proved guilty.
- Domainin law, presumed innocent
treated as innocent unless guilt is proved
- 6
Art attribution
The painting was long presumed to be a copy, but experts now think it is original.
- Patternpresumed to be + noun/adjective
believed or treated as that thing
- 7
Polite restraint
I wouldn't presume to tell you how to run your business.
- Patternwouldn't presume to + verb
would not be so bold or rude as to do it
- 8
Taking advantage
He presumes on their kindness by asking for favors every week.
- Patternpresume on someone's kindness
take too much advantage of it
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- presume that
- presume someone to be
- innocent until proven guilty
Word family
Explore
- assumption
- burden of proof
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- presumeverb
Forms
- presumedpast tenseverb
- presuming-ing formverb
- presumesverb