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assume
[ uh-soom ]
verb (used with object)
- to take for granted or without proof:
to assume that everyone wants peace.
Synonyms: , , ,
- to take upon oneself; undertake:
to assume an obligation.
- to take over the duties or responsibilities of:
to assume the office of treasurer.
- to take on (a particular character, quality, mode of life, etc.); adopt:
He assumed the style of an aggressive go-getter.
- to take on; be invested or endowed with:
The situation assumed a threatening character.
- to pretend to have or be; feign:
to assume a humble manner.
to assume a right to oneself; to assume control.
- to take upon oneself (the debts or obligations of another).
- Archaic. to take into relation or association; adopt.
verb (used without object)
- to take something for granted; presume.
assume
/ əˈː /
verb
- may take a clause as object to take for granted; accept without proof; suppose
to assume that someone is sane
- to take upon oneself; undertake or take on or over (a position, responsibility, etc)
to assume office
- to pretend to; feign
he assumed indifference, although the news affected him deeply
- to take or put on; adopt
the problem assumed gigantic proportions
- to appropriate or usurp (power, control, etc); arrogate
the revolutionaries assumed control of the city
- Christianity (of God) to take up (the soul of a believer) into heaven
Derived Forms
- ˈܳ, noun
- ˈܳ, adjective
Other 51Թ Forms
- ·ܳİ noun
- v··ܳ verb (used with object) overassumed overassuming
- a·ܳ verb (used with object) preassumed preassuming
- a·ܳ verb (used with object) reassumed reassuming
51Թ History and Origins
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of assume1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
“In many cases, there is a lot of negative stigma toward not only patients but also the medications, where people assume it’s just substituting one drug for another,” Sufrin told Salon in a phone interview.
When the ambulances stopped beside the Hamas car, the soldiers assumed they were under threat and opened fire, despite no evidence any of the emergency team was armed.
Tom Banton made history in Taunton as Somerset assumed a position of dominance on day two of the County Championship First Division match against Worcestershire.
But on mayonnaise day, standing with a balloon whisk and silver bowl, I assumed I knew what was coming.
It’s boorish and grating, assuming its audience will lap up whatever tasteless parody it puts out for them just because it aligns with popular films that share its basic themes.
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Related 51Թs
Assume vs. Presume
What's the difference between ܳԻpresume?
Assume and presume have very similar meanings—they both mean to suppose that something is true without being able to confirm it. Assume, however, usually implies that the conclusion reached by the person doing the assuming is not based on much. Presume, on the other hand, often implies that the conclusion is based on something a bit stronger, such as some evidence or past situations in which the same thing happened.
For example, you might presume that someone will be attending a meeting because they always attend and you have no reason to think they won’t be there. The word assume could also be used in this scenario, but it’s most likely to be used in situations in which there was less of a reason to have come to a certain conclusion. For example, you might assume something about someone you’ve just met based only on how they look (which is never a good idea).
A good way to remember this difference in how the two words are used is that the prefix pre- in presume means “before”—when you presume things, you’re often basing that presumption on something that has happened before. As for assume, well, we’ll just assume you know a good way of remembering how it’s used.
Assume and presume also have a few meanings that don’t overlap. Assume can mean to take on, adopt, or be endowed with something, as in I don’t want to assume any new responsibilities. Presume can mean to undertake or do something without permission or justification, as in I don’t presume to speak for the entire class.
Here are examples of assume and presume used correctly in a sentence.
Example: I assumed you knew what you were doing when you volunteered to bake the cake, but apparently I shouldn’t have.
Example: I presumed, based on your resume, that you knew how to work with this software.
Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between assume and presume.
Quiz yourself on ܳ.presume!
Is assume or presume the better choice in the following sentence?
We don’t know anything, so we shouldn’t _____ anything.
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