presumptuous Hear it!

presumptuous Definition

pre·sump·tu·ous (prē zumpc̸ho̵̅o̅ əs, pri-; --c̸ho̵o wəs)

adjective

too bold or forward; taking too much for granted; showing overconfidence, arrogance, or effrontery

Etymology: ME < OFr presunteux < LL praesumptuosus < L praesumptus: see presumption

presumptuous Related Forms

pre·sump·tu·ously adverb pre·sump·tu·ous·ness noun

presumptuous Synonyms

presumptuous

modif.

presumptuous Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

seem: To omit this from your new draft seems a bit presumptuous.

Modifying Another Word

  • too: That is something that we are still only learning, so we should beware of being too presumptuous ourselves.
  • so: Now my advice to you, is: don't be so presumptuous in future.
  • little: Tho some veterans thought that a little presumptuous, Jurek felt calm and confident.
  • very: For seven years, he wrote, he had been 'engaged in a very presumptuous work ' , perhaps 'a very foolish one ' .
  • not: Further down the chapter, concerning whether children are saved or lost, it is not presumptuous to say that they are lost.
  • even: Also, it is difficult, maybe even presumptuous, to try to understand what it is like being old.

Infinitive complement

  • suggest: It may be presumptuous to suggest ' The Power System ' heading is an earlier indicator to the development of the Lorraine prototype.
  • assume: It would, I think, be presumptuous simply to assume that God hasn't.
  • think: They think it's presumptuous to think you can be spiritually secure.
  • say: I think it's presumptuous to say a movie will make a difference.
  • attempt: It would be presumptuous to attempt to state it in words other than his own.
  • try: It would be presumptuous to try to explain the nature of the innate events that control the operation of language.

Modifies a noun

  • sinner: Hence the presumptuous sinner cares nothing that he no longer desires to pray.
  • sin: Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me.
  • man: I became nervous, did not feel happy or at ease in the presence of this presumptuous man!
  • attitude: Paul most likely has the presumptuous attitude of the strong in mind.
  • fool: If I lose the one I become a presumptuous fool; and if I lose the other I become a cowering slave.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: In one sense, the idea of helping people who seem to have more than their fair share of happiness seems presumptuous.
  • sound: Without meaning to sound presumptuous, all checks should be made payable to Friends of the Farm.