Word
presume
Phoneticspre·sume, stress on the second syllable
US/pɹɪˈzum/
UK/pɹɪzjˈuːm/
Definitions
01to suppose or assume
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to believe something is true because it is very likely, although you do not have proof yet.
v. to take something for granted or suppose it to be the case on the basis of probability. Often used in formal or legal contexts.
“I presume that you have already finished the report since it is on my desk.”
“In many legal systems, the court must presume that the defendant is innocent until the prosecution provides evidence to the contrary.”
Usage
Often followed by a 'that' clause.
02to take a liberty
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to do something that you do not have the right or authority to do.
v. to be so bold as to do something without appropriate authority or permission; to overstep social boundaries.
“I wouldn't presume to tell you how to do your job.”
“The junior clerk did not presume to interrupt the CEO during the high-stakes board meeting.”
Usage
Usually followed by an infinitive ('to do something').
03to take advantage of
C2 · Proficiency Formal · Literary
v. to use someone's kindness or a situation in a way that is unfair.
v. to take unfair advantage of something, such as a person's good nature or a particular situation.
“He didn't want to presume on their hospitality by staying too long.”
“The distant relative was careful not to presume upon the family's wealth, knowing his claim to the estate was tenuous at best.”
Usage
Typically used with the prepositions 'on' or 'upon'.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “presume” in context.
Verb
01. presume innocence
“The legal system is designed to presume innocence until guilt is proven.”
verb + noun
02. presume to advise
“I wouldn't presume to advise you on your own area of expertise.”
verb + infinitive
03. presume to interfere
“He had the audacity to presume to interfere in their private family matters.”
verb + infinitive
Preposition
04. presumed dead
“After the wreckage was found with no survivors, the crew was presumed dead.”
verb + adj
05. presumed innocent
“Every citizen has the right to be presumed innocent in a court of law.”
verb + adj
Adverb
06. reasonably presume that-clause
“One might reasonably presume that a professional athlete maintains a strict diet.”
adv + verb + that-clause
07. safely presume that-clause
“Given the lack of opposition, we can safely presume that the motion will pass.”
adv + verb + that-clause
08. wrongly presume that-clause
“The investigators wrongly presumed that the fire was an accident.”
adv + verb + that-clause
Real-World Examples
“I presume that the Department of Foreign Affairs says it’s not unsafe to go to Nepal, but I wouldn’t be going there at the moment ...” “Fisheries biologists long measured the annual success of winter-run Chinook salmon by the number of adult salmon returning upriver to spawn, presuming many were successful.” Etymology
From Middle English presumen, from Anglo-Norman presumer and its source, Latin praesūmere (“to take beforehand, anticipate”), from prae- + sūmere (“to take”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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