presume
gb/pɹɪzˈum/ us/pɹɪzˈum/
B2
English
~ 4500
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
Assume something without proof
To think something is true without being sure.
Usage pattern:
to presume [that] [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'presume' with 'assume', but 'presume' can sound slightly more formal or imply some basis for the belief.
Synonyms
assume (Very close in meaning, though 'assume' can sound slightly less formal than 'presume'.)
|
suppose (Less formal and often used in everyday speech for uncertain ideas.)
Antonyms
verify (Means to check or prove something is true, which is the opposite of presuming.)
Collocations
presume innocence
|presume guilt
|presume consent
|presume competence
Themes
thinking
|communication
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I presume you have finished the report.
- She presumed he was telling the truth.
- We must not presume the outcome before the vote.
- They presumed the meeting would be canceled because of the storm.
Learner examples
- I presume he is at work.
- She presumes the shop will open today.
- We presume it will rain tomorrow.
- They presume she can speak French.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
Do something without right
To do something you should not do because you do not have the right or permission.
Usage pattern:
to presume to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners may not recognize that 'presume' here expresses disapproval of overstepping limits.
Synonyms
dare (Implies boldness in doing something one has no right to do.)
|
take liberties (Informal phrase meaning to overstep proper limits.)
Antonyms
refrain (Means to hold back from doing something, opposite of presuming in this sense.)
Collocations
presume to judge
|presume to speak for
|presume too much
Themes
social
|etiquette
|law
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He presumed to give advice on a subject he knew little about.
- I wouldn't presume to tell you how to run your business.
- She presumed to speak on behalf of the entire group.
Learner examples
- I would not presume to tell you what to do.
- He presumed to give orders to his boss.
- She presumed to speak for the class.
Verb
formal
B2
action
3
Legally assume as true
In legal situations, to treat something as true until it is proved wrong.
Usage pattern:
to presume [someone/something] [adjective] until [condition]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this meaning is specific to formal or legal contexts and not for everyday guesses.
Synonyms
deem (In legal language, means to consider something in a certain way officially.)
Antonyms
disprove (To show that an assumption or presumption is false.)
Collocations
presumed innocent
|presumed dead
Themes
law
Examples
- A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
- The missing sailors are presumed dead after weeks with no contact.
- Under the law, a child under ten is presumed incapable of committing certain crimes.
Learner examples
- He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
- The man is presumed dead after the accident.
- They are presumed safe by the police.
Grammar
Dictionary form
presume
IPA
GB/pɹɪzˈum/
US/pɹɪzˈum/
Syllables & stress
pre - sume (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (sume)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: presume
- 3rd Person Singular: presumes
- Present Participle: presuming
- Past: presumed
Word family
Forms
presumes
verb
presuming
verb
presumed
verb
Core family
presumption
noun C1
presumably
adverb B2
Related words
presumptuous
adjective
Advanced or less common
presumptive
adjective
Expressions
if I may presume
1/ˈɪf ˈaɪ mˈeɪ pɹɪzˈum/
fixed phrase
formal
Politely suggest beyond authority
A polite way to start saying something that might be too bold or outside your role.
Examples
- If I may presume, I think we should consider another option.
- If I may presume, perhaps you could try speaking directly to her.
presume innocence
1/pɹɪzˈum ˈɪnəsəns/
fixed phrase
formal
Assume someone is not guilty
To treat someone as not guilty until there is proof they did something wrong.
Examples
- The court must presume innocence in all cases until evidence proves guilt.
- We should always presume innocence before making accusations.
presume upon someone's kindness
1/pɹɪzˈum əpˈɑn sˈʌmwˌʌnz kˈaɪndnəs/
fixed phrase
formal
Take advantage of kindness
To use someone's kindness too much or in a way that is not fair.
Examples
- I don't want to presume upon your kindness by asking for yet another favor.
- He presumed upon their hospitality by staying far longer than invited.