assume

verb

as·​sume ə-ˈsüm How to pronounce assume (audio)
assumed; assuming

transitive verb

1
a
: to take to or upon oneself : undertake
assume responsibility
b
: to place oneself in
assume a position
2
: seize, usurp
assume control
3
: to pretend to have or be : feign
assumed an air of confidence in spite of her nervousness
4
: to take as granted or true : suppose
I assume he'll be there.
5
: to take over (the debts of another) as one's own
6
: put on, don
Mrs. Fairfax assumed her best black satin gown, her gloves, and her gold watch.Charlotte Brontë
7
a
: to take up or in : receive
b
: to take into partnership, employment, or use
assumability noun
assumable adjective
assumably adverb

Did you know?

The Difference Between Assume and Presume

Assume and presume both mean "to take something for granted" or "to take something as true," but the words differ in the degree of confidence the person assuming or presuming has. Presume is used when someone is making an informed guess based on reasonable evidence. Assume is used when the guess is based on little or no evidence.

Presume functions a little differently in the legal catchphrase "presumed innocent until proven guilty." That sense of presume is separately defined as "to suppose to be true without proof." It is based on the fact that legal systems grant a defendant the presumption of innocence, thereby placing the burden of proof on the prosecution.

Choose the Right Synonym for assume

assume, affect, pretend, simulate, feign, counterfeit, sham mean to put on a false or deceptive appearance.

assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive.

assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients

affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling.

affected an interest in art

pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance.

pretended that nothing had happened

simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something.

cosmetics that simulate a suntan

feign implies more artful invention than pretend, less specific mimicry than simulate.

feigned sickness

counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words.

an actor counterfeiting drunkenness

sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible.

shammed a most unconvincing limp

Examples of assume in a Sentence

I assumed he was coming, so I was surprised when he didn't show up. She assumed from his expression that he was confused. We'll be arriving around noon. That's assuming that our flight is on time. The king assumed the throne when he was very young. Under certain conditions, the chemical will assume the appearance of ice.
Recent Examples on the Web The lounge furniture begs you to shed your burdens and assume a recumbent posish. Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024 In providing this support, the United States assumes a degree of complicity in the deeds of its allies. Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2024 The new show picks up where the ’90s Saturday morning cartoon ended: Professor Charles Xavier is believed to be dead, and his arch rival Magneto has assumed control of his last will and testament. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024 Instead of recognizing the threat Trump poses and assuming a more cautious stance, NBC News Group appears to be moving in the opposite direction. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 Their historical roots likewise can be traced to one type of garment: not the corset, as many might assume, but the piece that ultimately inspired the corset, the breastplate. Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024 The narrator gradually assumes the responsibility of his care, and of his dog. Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Initially, it was assumed that Ramona died inside the house as well, but her remains were never discovered in the rubble by first responders, according to a statement shared by the National Center for Missing and Endangered Children. Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 The annual collective revenues for the overall Fortune 500 are about $41 trillion; assuming $200 billion of AI demand (as noted above), this reveals a cost of 0.5%. Rodrigo Madanes, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'assume.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin assumere, from ad- + sumere to take — more at consume

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 7a

Time Traveler
The first known use of assume was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near assume

Cite this Entry

“Assume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assume. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

assume

verb
as·​sume ə-ˈsüm How to pronounce assume (audio)
assumed; assuming
1
: to take upon oneself
assume control
assumed the presidency
2
: take on sense 3, receive
it assumes greater importance now
3
: to pretend to have or be : put on
immediately assumed a look of innocence
4
: to take as true : suppose
I assumed he knew

Legal Definition

assume

transitive verb
as·​sume
assumed; assuming
1
: to voluntarily take upon oneself
assume a risk
2
: to take over (the debts or obligations of another) as one's own
assume a mortgage

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