ENGLISH
REFERENCE

presumptuous

adj.
C1 Advanced US //pɹɪˈzəmptʃəwəs// UK //pɹɪsˈʌmptʃuːəs// pre·sump·tu·ous

adj. behaving in a way that shows you think you are more important than you really are. You use this to describe someone who acts without asking permission or showing respect.

adj. characterised by an arrogant or disrespectful assumption of superiority or entitlement. Often describes actions that overstep social boundaries or fail to acknowledge a hierarchy.


SIMPLE

It was presumptuous of him to sit in the boss's chair.

CONTEXTUAL

The young assistant's presumptuous behavior during the meeting made the senior partners feel uncomfortable and unrespected.

COMPLEX

The novel's protagonist is often criticized for his presumptuous belief that he can change the course of history without understanding the complex social structures he is born into.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English presumptuous, borrowed from Old French presumptieus, presumpcieus, presumptuos, from Latin praesumptuosus.

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