How to pronounce presumptive
Say it like pree-ZUHMP-tiv. Presumptive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZUHMP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce presumptive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pree
- ZUHMP
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Presumptive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- preeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ZUHMPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of presumptive
American and British speakers say presumptive in essentially the same way: /priˈzʌmptɪv/ in the US and /prɪˈzʌmptɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: prih-ZUHMP-tiv.
What does presumptive mean?
- Based on presumption or conjecture; inferred, likely, presumed.“By late May, he was already considered his party’s presumptive nominee.”
- Often postpositive, as in heir presumptive: of an heir or heiress: presumed to be entitled to inherit unless someone with a superior entitlement is born.“The Queen’s younger brother was the heir presumptive to the throne, until she gave birth to her first child.”
- Of a cell or tissue: which has yet to differentiate, but is presumed to develop into a particular body part.
Where does presumptive come from?
From pre- + Latin sūmptus + -ive, from Late Middle English presumptif, presumptijf (“based on presumption”), from Anglo-Norman presumptif and Middle French presumptif, présomptif (“based on presumption; of an heir or heiress: presumed to be
Words that rhyme with presumptive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of presumptive.
Questions about saying presumptive
How do you pronounce presumptive?
Say pree-ZUHMP-tiv. The American pronunciation is /priˈzʌmptɪv/. In British English it is /prɪˈzʌmptɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in presumptive?
Presumptive has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZUHMP). Broken into parts: pree · ZUHMP · tiv.
Do Americans and Brits say presumptive the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /priˈzʌmptɪv/ and the British form is /prɪˈzʌmptɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.