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Definition of assume verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

assume

verb
 
/əˈsjuːm/
 
/əˈsuːm/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they assume
 
/əˈsjuːm/
 
/əˈsuːm/
he / she / it assumes
 
/əˈsjuːmz/
 
/əˈsuːmz/
past simple assumed
 
/əˈsjuːmd/
 
/əˈsuːmd/
past participle assumed
 
/əˈsjuːmd/
 
/əˈsuːmd/
-ing form assuming
 
/əˈsjuːmɪŋ/
 
/əˈsuːmɪŋ/
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  1. to think or accept that something is true but without having proof of it
    • assume (that)… It is reasonable to assume (that) the economy will continue to improve.
    • It's probably safe to assume (that) we'll be hearing more about this story.
    • Let us assume for a moment that the plan succeeds.
    • She would, he assumed, be home at the usual time.
    • it is assumed (that)… It is generally assumed that stress is caused by too much work.
    • assume something Don't always assume the worst (= that something bad has happened).
    • In this example we have assumed a unit price of $10.
    • assume somebody/something to be/have something I had assumed him to be a Belgian.
    Extra Examples
    • It's all too easy to assume that people know what they are doing.
    • I think we can safely assume that this situation will continue.
    • He automatically assumed that I had children.
    • I hope to go to college next year, always assuming that I pass my exams.
    • It is generally assumed that they were lovers.
    • We have assumed an average profit of £5 000 a month.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • automatically
    • naturally
    • reasonably
    verb + assume
    • can
    • might
    • tend to
    phrases
    • let us assume
    See full entry
  2. assume something (formal) to take or begin to have power or responsibility
    • Rebel forces have assumed control of the capital.
    • The court assumed responsibility for the girl's welfare.
    • Goodman will assume the role of president.
    • Lynch assumed office in April.
    Extra Examples
    • The military assumed power in an unexpected coup.
    • Harris then assumed command of the battalion.
    • His oldest brother assumed the role of father.
  3. assume something (formal) to begin to have a particular quality or appearance synonym take on
    • This matter has assumed considerable importance.
    • In the story the god assumes the form of an eagle.
  4. assume something (formal) to pretend to have a particular feeling or quality synonym put on
    • He assumed an air of concern.
    • He had assumed a stage Southern accent.
  5. Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin assumere, from ad- ‘towards’ + sumere ‘take’.
See assume in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee assume in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
sufficiently
adverb
 
 
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OPAL written words
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