From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishassumeas‧sume /əˈsjuːm $ əˈsuːm/ ●●● S2 W1 AWL verb [transitive] 1 THINK SO/NOT BE SUREto think that something is true, although you do not have definite proof SYN presumeassume (that) I didn’t see your car, so I assumed you’d gone out.it seems/is reasonable to assume (that) It seems reasonable to assume that the book was written around 70 AD.somebody can safely assume that (=it is almost certain) I think we can safely assume that interest rates will go up again soon.let us/let’s assume (that) (=used when thinking about a possible event or situation and its possible results) Let us assume for a moment that we could indeed fire her. Should we?somebody/something is assumed to be (doing) something The rest of the system is assumed to be functioning well. assume the worst (=think that the worst possible thing has happened) When it got to midnight and Paul was still not back, I began to assume the worst.GrammarIn more formal English, you say it is assumed that something is true: It is assumed that the person is innocent. 2 → assume control/responsibility etc3 → assume a manner/air/expression etc4 DEVELOPto start to have a particular quality or appearance SYN take on These relationships assume great importance in times of crisis. The problem is beginning to assume massive proportions.5 DEPEND/IT DEPENDSto be based on the idea that something else is correct SYN presupposeassume (that) The theory assumes that both labour and capital are mobile. Coen’s economic forecast assumes a 3.5% growth rate. → assuming→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
assume• Coen's economic forecast assumes a 3.5 percent growth rate.• Assuming a carefree air, Luke picked up his jacket and walked to the door.• When socializing with his co-workers he would assume a hearty, over-bearing manner.• The role of defending the Church was assumed by the lower clergy, their chief spokesman being Francis Atterbury.• Mackenzie assumed direct control, with his partners in subordinate positions.• Her family life assumed more importance after the accident.• He had been to school one day and already he was using phrases and assuming roles that belonged to a different world.• When they saw her appear at the bedroom window, they could only assume she was all right.• You will not succeed by assuming that decisions alone will achieve behavior change.• In our original study, we assumed that Mr Major could hope to win roughly one by-election in three in Tory seats.• We assume that other industrialized nations are going to help with money for food and other supplies.• I think we can safely assume that the practice is legal.• I just assumed that the woman standing next to Jack was his wife.• They argue that to assume the worst is often to invite disaster.• You shouldn't just assume things without getting all the facts.it seems/is reasonable to assume (that)• However, it seems reasonable to assume that pragmatic factors in comprehension will also be present in production.• I think it is reasonable to assume that the arrow for computers is the same as that for humans.• In addition, it seems reasonable to assume that the development will attain an occupancy rate much higher than that at present.assume ... proportions• By A.D. 54-5, militant activity had again assumed epidemic proportions.• His movement col-lapsed within three years, but his defiance assumed legendary proportions.• If one looks to sources other than the canonical scriptures, Thomas's role assumes larger proportions.• These normally private functions can assume unusually large proportions if illness limits a person's capacity for self care.• First, let us assume fixed proportions in production.• Workingparent guilt can assume draining proportions in such situations.• The events of 1971 assume the proportions of a small-town poker game in comparison to the speculation of February and March 1973.• A neighbourhood patrol can thus assume the proportions of an armed convoy.assume (that)• There was, however, one measure, adopted in 1908, the Labour Exchange Act, that came to assume importance.• It was never a power struggle because that assumes one person controls the group.• From the benefit of hindsight, it was somewhat naive on my part, assuming that anybody can do anything.• He similarly assumes that exile players are only qualified for the clubs' ostensible countries of origin.• This, of course, assumes that there are returning officers in existence to whom the Clerk can send the writ.• Since assuming the helm at Samsung in 1987, Lee has relentlessly pursued growth through exports and foreign investments and partnerships.• Unlucky-looking people made them uneasy and even tempted some to assume the role of misfortune.• They assume they have a more or less equal relationship with the author.Origin assume (1500-1600) Latin assumere, from ad- “to” + sumere “to take” 