Define presume Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/dɪˈprɪzuːm/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Verb

Definition

To take something for granted or assume something to be true without sufficient evidence or proof.

Examples

• I presume you’re coming to the party tonight.
• She presumed that he would be late, so she didn’t wait for him.

Synonyms

• Assume
• Suppose
• Take for granted

Antonyms

• Know
• Be certain
• Verify

Additional Information

The word “presume” is often used in formal or written contexts, and it can be used in a variety of situations, such as in business, law, or academia. It is also commonly used in idiomatic expressions, such as “presume innocence” or “presume guilty.” In addition, “presume” can be used in a more casual sense, such as in everyday conversations or in social media posts.

In terms of its connotation, “presume” can have a slightly negative tone, implying that someone is making an assumption without sufficient evidence or proof. However, it can also be used in a more neutral or objective sense, simply to indicate that someone is making an educated guess or assumption.

It’s worth noting that “presume” is often confused with the word “assume,” which has a similar meaning. However, while “assume” implies a more general or hypothetical assumption, “presume” implies a more specific or concrete assumption.

Etymology

The word “presume” comes from the Latin word “praesumere,” which means “to take beforehand” or “to assume beforehand.” This Latin word is a combination of “prae,” meaning “before,” and “sumere,” meaning “to take.” The word “presume” has been used in English since the 15th century, and it has evolved over time to take on its current meaning and connotation.

Usage Notes

When using the word “presume,” it’s essential to consider the context and the tone you want to convey. In formal or written contexts, “presume” can be a useful word to indicate a specific assumption or hypothesis. However, in more casual conversations, it may be better to use a more neutral or objective word, such as “think” or “believe.”

Additionally, be careful not to confuse “presume” with “assume,” as they have slightly different meanings and connotations. While “assume” implies a more general or hypothetical assumption, “presume” implies a more specific or concrete assumption.

Cultural References

The word “presume” has appeared in various cultural references, such as in literature, film, and music. For example, in the novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, the character Mr. Darcy presumes that Elizabeth Bennet is not a suitable partner for him due to her family’s social status.

In film, the word “presume” has been used in various movie titles, such as “Presumed Innocent” (1990) and “Presumed Dead” (2006).

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

There are several idiomatic expressions or phrases that include the word “presume,” such as:

• Presume innocence: to assume that someone is innocent until proven guilty.
• Presume guilty: to assume that someone is guilty until proven innocent.
• Presume dead: to assume that someone is dead, often due to lack of evidence or communication.

Related Words or Phrases

Some related words or phrases to “presume” include:

• Assume
• Suppose
• Take for granted
• Guess
• Hypothesize

Collocations

Some common collocations with the word “presume” include:

• Presume to know
• Presume to be
• Presume to have
• Presume to do

Frequency of Use

The word “presume” is not a commonly used word in everyday conversation, but it is often used in formal or written contexts, such as in business, law, or academia. According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English, “presume” is used approximately 0.05% of the time in written English.

Common Misspellings

Some common misspellings of the word “presume” include:

• Presum
• Presumeing
• Presumming
• Presumtion