assume

/ə'sju:m/

Definition

Verb:
- To suppose something to be true without proof: To accept or take for granted that something is the case, often as a starting point for reasoning or discussion.
- To take on or adopt (a role, duty, or appearance): To begin to have a particular quality, responsibility, or form; to put on or take up.
- To seize or take control of something (power, a position): To take something, especially power or responsibility, without right or permission.

Usage and Examples

To suppose without proof:
- I assume you have already finished your homework.
- We cannot assume the results before the experiment is complete.
To take on a role, duty, or appearance:
- She will assume the role of manager next month.
- The situation has assumed a critical importance.
- He assumed a look of confidence before the interview.
To seize control or take possession:
- The general assumed control of the government after the coup.
- He assumed authority that was not rightfully his.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

"Assume responsibility/liability": To formally accept a duty or obligation.
- The company will assume full responsibility for the damages.
"Assume office": To formally begin a period in a powerful position.
- The new president will assume office in January.
"Assume a pose/position": To deliberately place one's body in a particular way.
- The model assumed an elegant pose for the photographer.
"Assume the worst": To believe the most negative or serious possible outcome is true.
- When he didn't call, she began to assume the worst.

Variants and Related Words

Assumption (n): Something that is accepted as true without proof; the act of taking on a role or responsibility.
- His argument was based on a false assumption.
- Her assumption of power was widely contested.
Assuming (conj): Used to introduce a hypothesis or supposition.
- Assuming the weather is good, we will have a picnic.
Assumed (adj): Adopted fictitiously; taken for granted.
- She wrote under an assumed name.
- The assumed cost was much lower than the actual bill.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms and Common Phrases

"To assume airs": To behave in a way that shows you think you are more important than you are; to be pretentious.
- Ever since his promotion, he has started to assume airs.
"Assume the mantle (of)": To take on a particular role or responsibility, especially one of importance.
- She assumed the mantle of leadership during the crisis.

Verb

put clothing on one's body
- What should I wear today?
- He put on his best suit for the wedding
- The princess donned a long blue dress
- The queen assumed the stately robes
- He got into his jeans
take up someone's soul into heaven
- This is the day when May was assumed into heaven
make a pretence of
- She assumed indifference, even though she was seething with anger
- he feigned sleep
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 town
- he usurped my rights
- She seized control of the throne after her husband died
occupy or take on
- He assumes the lotus position
- She took her seat on the stage
- We took our seats in the orchestra
- She took up her position behind the tree
- strike a pose
take on as one's own the expenses or debts of another person
- I'll accept the charges
- She agreed to bear the responsibility
take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect
- His voice took on a sad tone
- The story took a new turn
- he adopted an air of superiority
- She assumed strange manners
- The gods assume human or animal form in these fables
take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities
- When will the new President assume office?
take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
- I assume his train was late

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