Definition
presumptuous means behaving in a way that is excessively bold or forward, often doing things that are not your place to do. It can also mean taking liberties or making assumptions without proper evidence or authority.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Adjective.
Synonyms
arrogant, audacious, brazen, forward, impertinent, impudent, insolent, overconfident, rash, rude, self-important, uppity.
Antonyms
humble, meek, modest, retiring, shy, submissive, unassuming, unpretentious.
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | presumptions, presumption, presumptuousness, presumptuousnesses |
| Verb | presuming, presume, presumed, presumes |
| Adjective | presumptive, presumptuous |
| Adverb | presumptuously |
Example Sentences
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It would be too presumptuous of me to assume that I fully understand your situation.
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The new employee’s presumptuous behavior at the meeting offended many of his colleagues.
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She thought it was presumptuous of the salesman to assume that she could afford such an expensive watch.
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It is presumptuous to ask for a promotion when you have only been with the company for a few months.
Usage
The word presumptuous is often used to describe people who behave in an overly confident or arrogant way, without proper knowledge or authority. This word can be used in many different contexts, from social situations to professional settings. It can be applied to anyone who takes liberties or makes assumptions that are not their right to make.
The prefix “pre-” in presumptuous suggests that this behavior occurs before anything is actually known or established. The word “sumption” is derived from the Latin word “sumptio,” meaning taking or assumption. The suffix “-tuous” is used to describe a person who is full of a particular quality or trait. Putting it all together, presumptuous means taking liberties without permission or authority, often assuming something to be true based on only limited or no evidence.
In social situations, being presumptuous can lead to social awkwardness or annoyance to other people. For example, someone who assumes they can just show up at a friend’s place without an invitation might be seen as presumptuous. In professional settings, it could lead to a loss of respect from colleagues or even disciplinary action. For instance, an employee who takes it upon themselves to speak on behalf of the company without proper authorization or understanding of the situation could be considered as presumptuous.
In conclusion, the word presumptuous is used to describe a person who acts with excessive confidence or rudeness by taking liberties or making assumptions without proper authority or knowledge. It is associated with a lack of propriety and respect for boundaries. Prefixes such as “un-” or “dis-” can be added to make variations of the word that have opposite meanings, for instance, “unpresumptuous” or “dispresumptuous” would mean not taking liberties or making assumptions without permission or basis.