assume

1 of 2

verb

as·​sume ə-ˈsüm 

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

ə-ˌsü-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

assumable

ə-ˈsü-mə-bəl 

adjective

assumably

ə-ˈsü-mə-blē 

adverb

assumable

2 of 2

adjective

as·​sum·​able ə-ˈsü-mə-bəl 

: capable of being assumed

an assumable mortgage

assumable loans

We have assumed that a high quantity of learning equals a high quality of learning. Indeed, we have even taken this one step further, beyond what is logically assumable.

—Paul J. Lundrigan, Education Policy Review, November/December 1992

assumability

ə-ˌsü-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

Assumability, or the ability of the mortgage loan to be transferred to a new owner should the property be sold, has become a vital difference among mortgage types as interest rates have escalated.

—Thomas R. Harter, The McGraw-Hill Real Estate Handbook, 1984

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.

Synonyms of assume

Verb

• accept
• shoulder
• bear
• undertake

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

Verb

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

Verb

Police say Crash Team investigators responded and assumed control over the investigation. — Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 21 June 2026

The vessel’s owner and master will assume full responsibility for any resultant damage, the PGSA said. — Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 20 June 2026

Given all the other economic and geopolitical uncertainty in the world, this is perhaps not the best time to assume rapid and significant change in the underpinnings of how the central bank has worked has no risk. — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

In fact, according to Rakestraw, one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is assuming the babies have been abandoned and removing them immediately. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 20 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

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

Rhymes for assume

• backroom
• ballroom
• barroom
• bathroom
• bedroom
• boardroom
• bridegroom
• classroom
• cloakroom
• consume
• costume
• courtroom

Kids Definition

assume

verb

as·​sume ə-ˈsüm 

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