adj
presumptuous
pruh-ZUHMP-choo-uhs
Presumptuous (adj) means Overconfident or arrogant in a way that overstepss what is appropriate or one's actual authority. Example: “It seemed presumptuous of the intern to rewrite the CEO's speech.”
adj
1
Overconfident or arrogant in a way that overstepss what is appropriate or one's actual authority.
"It seemed presumptuous of the intern to rewrite the CEO's speech."
"Don't you think it's a bit presumptuous to assume you've already got the job?"
How to use presumptuous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes someone acting with more confidence or entitlement than the situation actually allows.
Common mistake
Not the same as "presumed" — presumptuous is about arrogant behaviour, not just an assumption.
Common pairings
presumptuous of you
a presumptuous assumption
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more presumptuous
- Superlative
- most presumptuous
Fill the gap
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It seemed _____ of the intern to rewrite the CEO's speech.
Etymology
From Latin praesumptuosus, built on praesumere ("to take beforehand, to assume").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for presumptuous
See all rhymes for presumptuous →Frequently asked questions
What does “presumptuous” mean?
The word “presumptuous” means overconfident or arrogant in a way that overstepss what is appropriate or one's actual authority. In plain terms, describes someone acting with more confidence or entitlement than the situation actually allows.
How do you pronounce “presumptuous”?
“Presumptuous” is pronounced pruh-ZUHMP-choo-uhs (/pɹəˈzʌmpt͡ʃuəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “presumptuous” in a sentence?
Here is “presumptuous” used in a sentence: “It seemed presumptuous of the intern to rewrite the CEO's speech.”
What part of speech is “presumptuous”?
“Presumptuous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “presumptuous” come from?
The word “presumptuous” comes from Latin. From Latin praesumptuosus, built on praesumere ("to take beforehand, to assume").
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