presumptuous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "presumptuous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an attitude or action that is overly confident or presumptuous in a given situation. For example: "The new employee was quite presumptuous when he offered his opinion before the meeting had started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Candidate Clinton feels different, political analysts and media observers say, from the workaday secretary of state who filled that office from 2009 to 2013 or from the more timidly progressive candidate voters got to know in 2008 – one whose presumptuous designs on the general election left her vulnerable on the left in the primary.

The Guardian

— Peter Beattie (@SmartState1) September 8, 2013 The dump will be full!! pic.twitter.com/D98Onn3Avf Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 2.23pm AEST05:23 Warren Snowdon is predicted to retain the Northern Territory seat of Lingiari, although the incumbent MP has said he doesn't want to be "presumptuous".

The Guardian

Expanding abroad is something people don't think about early on, it seems wildly presumptuous but actually the way you structure your business makes quite a big difference.

The Guardian

Critics said she was aloof, detached and presumptuous, and later criticised her for conducting a tour of the state in a chartered helicopter.

The Guardian

Clearly, David Cameron has his eye on the rural vote, but isn't this rather presumptuous?

The Guardian - Opinion

But if I may be so presumptuous (pretty much everyone else is, so why not me?), I'd suggest that rather than singling out Wall Street fat cats for taking too much of the pie, the protestors look closer to home.

The Economist

Calls are often disconnected, especially if a "mobile" subscriber is presumptuous enough to walk while he talks.If there is no easy technical fix for India's phone squabbles, there may, however, be a military one.

The Economist

For a young firm still small by international standards, that sounds presumptuous.

The Economist

With its presumptuous humour, its mathematical obsessions, its easy, arrogant belief that it is the natural home for geniuses, the billboard spoke of a company that thinks it has taken its rightful place as the leader of the technology industry, a position occupied for the past 15 years by Microsoft.In tone, the billboard was "googley", as the firm's employees like to say.

The Economist

Hard-core recalcitrants continue to see Israel as sinfully presumptuous, but the majority have come to terms with it.

The Economist

And there is enough of the old religion in Mr Clegg to keep activists on side his tax cuts are aimed at low earners and on January 7th he became the first senior British politician to call for Mr Brown to condemn Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip.Mr Clegg avoids saying what he would do in a parliamentary stalemate, and not only because it would seem presumptuous.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "presumptuous" to describe actions or attitudes that exceed what is considered proper or appropriate due to excessive self-confidence. Ensure the context clearly indicates an overstepping of boundaries.

Common error

Avoid using "presumptuous" when simply describing confidence. "Presumptuous" specifically implies an unjustified or inappropriate level of confidence that oversteps boundaries, not just general self-assurance.

Linguistic Context

The word "presumptuous" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns or pronouns to describe a quality of being excessively forward or bold. According to Ludwig, this word is correct and usable in written English, indicating its standard grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "presumptuous" is a commonly used adjective to describe actions or attitudes that are inappropriately bold or overconfident. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and its primary function is to express disapproval. Predominantly found in News & Media and Encyclopedic sources, it is crucial to use "presumptuous" accurately, ensuring the context implies an overstepping of boundaries rather than simple confidence. While related to terms like "arrogant" and "assuming", it carries its unique connotation of unwarranted boldness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrogant

Implies a sense of superiority and exaggerated self-importance.

assuming

Suggests taking something for granted without sufficient evidence.

overconfident

Highlights excessive confidence, sometimes without justification.

impudent

Emphasizes a lack of respect and disregard for others' opinions.

insolent

Conveys rudeness and disrespect in speech or behavior.

brazen

Suggests boldness and shamelessness, often in a negative way.

forward

Implies being overly assertive or intrusive in social interactions.

conceited

Highlights excessive pride in oneself and one's abilities.

pompous

Suggests an exaggerated sense of self-importance and formality.

haughty

Conveys arrogance and disdain towards others considered inferior.

FAQs

How can I use "presumptuous" in a sentence?

You can use "presumptuous" to describe someone who is overly bold or assumes too much. For example, "It would be "presumptuous" of me to assume they'll accept the offer."

What is a good alternative to "presumptuous"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "arrogant", "assuming", or "overconfident". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "presumptuous" and "arrogant"?

"Arrogant" implies a belief in one's superiority, while "presumptuous" suggests taking liberties or making assumptions without justification. Someone can be arrogant without being presumptuous, and vice versa.

Is it ever appropriate to be presumptuous?

Generally, no. Being presumptuous usually carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of respect or an overestimation of one's own position or knowledge. However, in rare cases, a calculated risk might be perceived as presumptuous but ultimately successful.