English vocabulary · B2
Presume
/prɪˈzuːm/ · v.
To presume something is true is to believe it before you know all the facts. You act as if your guess is already certain.
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Example sentences
- I presumed the door was open.
- Never presume everyone agrees.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- pre — before (from Latin)
- sume — take (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- SUPPOSE — think it may be true (A Possible Belief)
- EXPECT — think it will happen (A Future Belief)
- BELIEVE — think it is true (Accept As True)
Words with the same root
sume — take
- assume — accept as true without proof
- consume — use up
- resume — start again
Lesson notes
To presume something is true is to believe it before you know all the facts. You act as if your guess is already certain.
Related: suppose, expect, believe. Use presume when a guess replaces facts.
I presumed the door was open. Never presume everyone agrees.
From Latin. Pre- means before. Sume means take. Take a belief before checking facts: that is to presume.