assumption
Something accepted as true without proof
Examples
In a meeting
“We're working on the assumption that the vendor will deliver on time.”
Over coffee
“My assumption was that you'd already eaten dinner.”
Why this word
belief
assumption specifically implies something taken as true without proof for reasoning purposes, while belief is more general and personal
guess
assumption suggests a working hypothesis used as a basis for argument, while guess is informal and implies less methodical thinking
supposition
assumption is more common in everyday and technical contexts, while supposition is more formal and philosophical
Usage tip
Use to identify beliefs or premises that should be questioned or verified
Etymology
Latin 'assumptio' from 'assumere' (to take up) from 'ad-' (to) + 'sumere' (take)
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Related words
rationale
The reasoning or logic behind a decision
infer
To deduce or conclude information from evidence and reasoning rather than explicit statements
inference
A conclusion reached based on evidence and reasoning
deduce
To reach a conclusion through logical reasoning
hypothesize
To propose an explanation or theory that can be tested
pragmatic
Dealing with things in a practical, realistic way rather than following theory or ideals.