How to pronounce presume
Say it like prih-ZOOM. Presume has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZOOM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce presume. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- prih
- ZOOM
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Presume pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- prihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ZOOMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of presume
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
British respelling: prih-ZYOOM.
What does presume mean?
- take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof“I assume his train was late”
- take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission“How dare you call my lawyer?”
- constitute reasonable evidence for“A restaurant bill presumes the consumption of food”
Where does presume come from?
From Middle English presumen, from Anglo-Norman presumer and its source, Latin praesūmere (“to take beforehand, anticipate”), from prae- + sūmere (“to take”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with presume
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of presume.
Questions about saying presume
How do you pronounce presume?
Say prih-ZOOM. The American pronunciation is /prɪˈzum/. In British English it is /prɪˈzjuːm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in presume?
Presume has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZOOM). Broken into parts: prih · ZOOM.
Is presume pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune). The British form is /prɪˈzjuːm/ (prih-ZYOOM).