presumptive

[pri-zuhmp-tiv]

adjective

1. affording ground for belief or presumption.

   presumptive evidence.

2. based on likelihood or presumption.

   a presumptive title; the presumptive nominee.

3. regarded as such by presumption; based on inference; assumed.

   a presumptive case of pneumonia.

4. Embryology.,  pertaining to the part of an embryo that, in the course of normal development, will predictably become a particular structure or region.

presumptive

/ prɪˈzʌmptɪv /

adjective

1. based on presumption or probability

2. affording reasonable ground for belief

3. of or relating to embryonic tissues that become differentiated into a particular tissue or organ

   presumptive epidermis

Other Word Forms

• presumptively adverb
• presumptiveness noun
• nonpresumptive adjective
• nonpresumptively adverb
• overpresumptive adjective
• overpresumptively adverb
• unpresumptive adjective
• unpresumptively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of presumptive¹

From the Late Latin word praesūmptīvus, dating back to 1555–65. See presumption, -ive

Example Sentences

Left tackle Elijah Paige said Thursday that he has seen a major change in Maiava since he entered the offseason as the presumptive starter.

From Los Angeles Times

Mamdani’s meteoric rise to becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee for mayor of New York, an office that is both local and national, has made him many enemies in the media.

From Salon

By the time Vice President Kamala Harris was playing it at her first rally as the presumptive Democratic nominee in Atlanta, every sporting event in America was playing that song.

From Los Angeles Times

People who want to fight Trump will also have to fight this inertia — even though many of the party’s presumptive presidential candidates are saying, no, no, I'm going to come out swinging.

From Salon

The South Darfur airport in Nyala, the presumptive capital and military base of the Rapid Support Forces, has been repeatedly bombed by the SAF, which destroyed an aircraft there earlier this month.

From BBC

Related Words

• probable