First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
presumptuous
adjective pre·sump·tu·ous \pri-ˈzəm(p)-chə-wəs, -chəs, -shəs\
: too confident especially in a way that is rude : done or made without permission, right, or good reason
Full Definition of PRESUMPTUOUS
: overstepping due bounds (as of propriety or courtesy) : taking liberties
— pre·sump·tu·ous·ly adverb
— pre·sump·tu·ous·ness noun
See presumptuous defined for English-language learners
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Examples of PRESUMPTUOUS
- To Yale University, he was David Sneed. And some people called him that. Close friends called him Marc. Not wanting to appear presumptuous, I tried not to commit to either, waiting instead for a signal. —Peter Beinart, New Republic, 22 Jan. 1996
- Professor Stegner mistook me, I fear, for an anti-intellectual, not understanding that I was in fact something far less presumptuous—a near-illiterate, especially compared to the rest of his blue-chip roster. —Ken Kesey, New York Times Book Review, 31 Dec. 1989
- To spy out the shape of God's Heaven was superfluous, presumptuous, and might prove blasphemous. Galileo was no better than a theological Peeping Tom. —Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers, 1983
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Origin of PRESUMPTUOUS
Middle English, from Anglo-French presumptious, from Late Latin praesumptuosus, irregular from praesumptio (see presume)
Related to PRESUMPTUOUS
- Antonyms
- modest, unassuming
PRESUMPTUOUS Defined for Kids
presumptuous
adjective pre·sump·tu·ous \pri-ˈzəmp-chə-wəs\
Definition of PRESUMPTUOUS for Kids
: going beyond what is proper <It would be presumptuous to ask personal questions.>
— pre·sump·tu·ous·ly adverb
— pre·sump·tu·ous·ness noun
Learn More About PRESUMPTUOUS
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