Word
assuming
Phoneticsas·sum·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈsumɪŋ/
UK/ɐsˈuːmɪŋ/
Definitions
01believing without proof
B1 · Intermediate
v. believing that something is true even if you do not have all the facts yet.
v. the present participle of 'assume', describing the act of taking something for granted or accepting it as true without proof.
“I was assuming you were coming to the party since you didn't say no.”
“By assuming that the market would continue to rise indefinitely, the investors ignored several clear warning signs of an impending crash.”
02if something is true
B2 · Upper Intermediate
conj. you use this to say what will happen if a specific situation is true.
conj. used as a subordinating conjunction to introduce a condition or hypothesis upon which a subsequent statement depends.
“Assuming the weather stays nice, we can have the dinner outside.”
“Assuming the board approves the budget by Tuesday, we can begin the recruitment process for the new department heads immediately.”
03arrogant
C2 · Proficiency Formal · Literary
adj. acting as if you are more important or clever than other people.
adj. characterised by an attitude of superiority or overconfidence. This sense is less common in modern speech and carries a formal tone.
“He had an assuming manner that made his colleagues feel uncomfortable.”
“The young heir's assuming tone during the negotiations alienated the very partners he was supposed to impress.”
Synonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 2
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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