Presume Meaning
/pɹɪˈzjuːm/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo be so presumptuous as (to do something) without proper authority or permission [with to (+ infinitive)].
verbTo perform, do (something) without authority; to lay claim to without permission.
Sentence Examples
I will not presume to give an opinion.
May I presume to tell you that you are wrong?
CEFR Practice Quiz
I ____ you will arrive on time since you have never been late before.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I ____ you have read the briefing document before attending this morning's strategy meeting.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English presumen, from Anglo-Norman presumer and its source, Latin praesūmere (“to take beforehand, anticipate”), from prae- + sūmere (“to take”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"There were no women at the birth of the International Gay Association in Coventry, England in 1978. The men there decided they would like lesbians to join; they would not presume to formulate aims for them but would adjust the organization if and when women joined it."
— 1982 August 21, Sylvia Barren, “Women and the IGA: A History of Struggle”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 6, page 3:
"If we presume that human cloning may one day become a mundane, everyday reality, then maybe it's time to start thinking more positively about our soon-to-arrive genetically engineered pseudo-siblings."
— 2011 February 5, John Patterson, The Guardian:
"Presume not on thy heart when mine is slain;
Thou gavest me thine, not to give back again."
— 1609, William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 22”, in Shake-speares Sonnets. […], London: By G[eorge] Eld for T[homas] T[horpe] and are to be sold by William Aspley, →OCLC:
"Emma was not required, by any subsequent discovery, to retract her ill opinion of Mrs. Elton. Her observation had been pretty correct. Such as Mrs. Elton appeared to her on this second interview, such she appeared whenever they met again,—self-important, presuming, familiar, ignorant, and ill-bred."
— 1815, Jane Austen, Emma, volume II, chapter 15:
"Piliso then vented his anger on us, accusing us of lying to him. He said we had presumed on his hospitality and the good name of the regent."
— 1994, Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela, London: Abacus, published 2010, page 75:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
I ____ you will arrive on time since you have never been late before.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I ____ you have read the briefing document before attending this morning's strategy meeting.