Assume vs. Presume
Main DifferenceThe main difference between assume and presume is in their meaning. Assume means to make a guess which is based on little or no evidence, whereas the verb presumes means to make a rational guess which is based on some evidence.

Difference Between Assume and Presume
Assume vs. Presume
The meaning of assume is to suppose or to undertake whereas the meaning of presume is to dare, to suppose, or to take for granted.
Assume vs. Presume
To assume means to make a guess which is based on little or no evidence on the flip side to presume means to make a rational guess which is based on some evidence.
Assume vs. Presume
The assumption is irrational conversely presumption is somehow rational.
Assume vs. Presume
The assumption is a loose guess with no evidence from the situation; on the other hand, the presumption is a strong or informed guess with evidence from the situation.
Assume vs. Presume
Assume derives from the Latin word sumere, which has the meaning “to take or to adopt while the word presumes also originates from the Latin verb sumere which has the meaning “to take upon, to take the liberty, to take for granted.
Assume vs. Presume
The degree of probability in the verb ‘assume’ is less; on the contrary, the degree of probability in the verb ‘presume’ is more.
Assumeverb
to authenticate by means of belief; to surmise; to suppose to be true, especially without proof
We assume that, as her parents were dentists, she knows quite a bit about dentistry.Presumeverb
(transitive) With infinitive object: to be so presumptuous as (to do something) without proper authority or permission.
I wouldn't presume to tell him how to do his job.Assumeverb
to take on a position, duty or form
Mr. Jones will assume the position of a lifeguard until a proper replacement is found.Presumeverb
To perform, do (something) without authority; to lay claim to without permission.
Don't make the decision yourself and presume too much.Assumeverb
to adopt a feigned quality or manner
Presumeverb
(transitive) To assume or suggest to be true (without proof); to take for granted, to suppose.
Paw-prints in the snow presume a visit from next door's cat.Dr. Livingstone, I presume?Assumeverb
to receive, adopt
Presumeverb
(intransitive) To be presumptuous; with on, upon, to take advantage (of), to take liberties (with).
Assumeverb
to adopt an idea or cause
Presumeverb
take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof;
I assume his train was lateAssumeverb
take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof;
I assume his train was latePresumeverb
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission;
How dare you call my lawyer?Assumeverb
take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities;
When will the new President assume office?Presumeverb
constitute reasonable evidence for;
A restaurant bill presumes the consumption of foodAssumeverb
take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect;
His voice took on a sad toneThe story took a new turnhe adopted an air of superiorityShe assumed strange mannersThe gods assume human or animal form in these fablesPresumeverb
take liberties or act with too much confidence
Assumeverb
take on as one's own the expenses or debts of another person;
I'll accept the chargesShe agreed to bear the responsibilityAssumeverb
occupy or take on;
He assumes the lotus positionShe took her seat on the stageWe took our seats in the orchestraShe took up her position behind the treestrike a poseAssumeverb
seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession;
He assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the townhe usurped my rightsShe seized control of the throne after her husband diedAssumeverb
make a pretence of;
She assumed indifference, even though she was seething with angerhe feigned sleepAssumeverb
Christianity, obsolete; take up someone's soul into heaven;
This is the day when May was assumed into heavenAssumeverb
put clothing on one's body;
What should I wear today?He put on his best suit for the weddingThe princess donned a long blue dressThe queen assumed the stately robesHe got into his jeansComparison Chart
Assume | Presume |
A verb that means to suppose or to undertake. It also means to take for granted or to take upon | A verb that means to dare, to suppose, or to take for granted |
Degree of Probability | |
Less | More |
Origin | |
Latin word sumere which has the meaning “to take or to adopt” | Latin verb sumere which has the meaning “to take upon, to take the liberty, to take for granted |
Examples | |
I assume that this is the natural color of your eyes | I presume you are exhausted after such a hectic routine |
Prefix | |
-as | -pre |
Assume vs. Presume
Assume and presume are verbs. The meaning of assume is to suppose or to undertake. It also means to take for granted or to take upon. The meaning of presume is to dare, to suppose, or to take for granted. The difference between assume and presume is in the degree of their certainty. Assume means to make a guess which is based on little or no evidence. It is irrational. However, to presume means to make a rational guess, which is based on some evidence.
The assumption is a loose guess with no evidence from the situation. The presumption is a strong or informed guess with pieces of evidence from the situation. There is a difference in the degree of probability between both words. The degree of probability in the verb assume is less. The degree of probability in the verb presume is more.
The words ‘assume’ and ‘presume’ originates from the same root. Assume derives from the Latin word summer, which has the meaning “to take or to adopt.” The word presumes also originates from the Latin verb summer, which has the meaning “to take upon, to take the liberty, to take for granted. The words assume and presume are, sometimes, interchangeable. For example, I assume I can get my reputation back if I go to that event. I presume I can get my reputation back if I go to that event.
The difference between assume and presume can also be kept in mind by the “pre” in presume. Both the words are spelled the same, but their prefix is different. In general, both the words assume and presume have their existence, meaning, and usage.
What is Assume?
The meaning of assume is to suppose or to undertake something. It also means to take for granted or to take upon. Assume means to make a guess which is based on little or no proof/evidence. It is irrational. If someone says that he assumes a certain thing then t means that he has no idea if his assumption is true or false. It is something close to the intuitions or related to it. However, assumptions can also be true in many cases.
In the parts of speech, assume falls into the degree of the verb. It is a task that someone does. Assume is also used while someone is making a debate. For example, “Assuming you are correct, why should I do that? The assumption is a loose guess, with no evidence from the situation. It just depends on the will of a person and what he wants from a particular situation/condition. The degree of probability in the verb assume is less.
As far as its etymology is concerned, assume derives from the Latin word sumere, which has the meaning “to take or to adopt.” Sometimes, assume is also synonymous with its counterpart presume.
Examples
- I assume that this is the natural color of your eyes.
- I assume you have made these cheese sandwiches.
- Clark assumed the dress she was going to wear on her birthday next year.
What is Presume?
The meaning of presume is to dare, to suppose, or to take for granted. In the parts of speech, presume falls into the category of a verb. To presume means to make a rational guess, which is based on some evidence. Presume needs proof or evidence. It always has proof as to its basis. Presume is also sometimes synonymous with its counterpart assume. The presumption is a strong or informed guess with pieces of evidence from the situation. The degree of probability in the verb presume is high.
The origin of presume dates back to the Latin verb sumere, which has the meaning “to take upon, to take the liberty, to take for granted. To presume also means “to act without permission, to undertake with boldness.” Presume has a different meaning in the context of the law. It refers to the acceptance of something as true because the proof of its falsity is not presented in court.
Examples
- I presume you are exhausted after such a hectic routine.
- I was going with my friends somewhere, and we saw a bus accident. It was so intense that we presumed many severe injuries.
- “I can find my lost wallet if I go to the mall again,” he presumed.
ConclusionAssume and presume are two different words. Both are different in their use, meaning, and existence.