Library / English Dictionary

ASSUMING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Excessively forward

Example:

the duchess would not put up with presumptuous servants

Synonyms:

assuming; assumptive; presumptuous

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

forward (used of temperament or behavior; lacking restraint or modesty)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

-ing form of the verb assume

Credits

 Context examples: 

Now, when did this occur? Evidently, assuming his narrative to be true, it was immediately after Mr. Mortimer Tregennis had left the room.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

To confess the truth, said Mrs Smith, assuming her usual air of cheerfulness, that is exactly the pleasure I want you to have.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

But people tend to react negatively to these unfamiliar, chemical sounding names when they appear on an ice cream label, assuming these must be artificial ingredients.

(Freeze-Dried Strawberries and Ice Cream Make for a Very Stable Relationship, Agricultural Research Service)

"Let me see—where were you born, Mr. Eden?" the cub asked, assuming an air of expectant attention.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

They have a parboiled appearance, are afflicted with hang-nails, while the nails are broken and discoloured, and the edges of the quick seem to be assuming a fungoid sort of growth.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Based on how much rock is from acid environments on Mars, and assuming the concentration of fatty acids found in martian sediments matches that of Earth, there might be up to 2.86 1010 kg of fatty acids preserved within martian rock -equivalent to nearly 12,000 Olympic-size pools.

(Red Planet May Have Harbored Life in Past, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

The new research favors the latter scenario, indicating that they are unlikely to be older than 100 million years, as it would take that long for the C-ring to become what it is today assuming it was once as dense as the B-ring.

(Saturn is Losing Its Rings, NASA)

She looked at him with great admiration, and even supposed it possible that some people might think him handsomer than his brother, though, in her eyes, his air was more assuming, and his countenance less prepossessing.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

We only get eight Emerald years in a lifetime, assuming you live to 96.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Now, for example, Mr. Traddles, said Mrs. Micawber, assuming a profound air, a judge, or even say a Chancellor.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)