Assume Meaning
Assume Definition & Usage
To take on or accept a responsibility, duty, or task.
Examples
- "She was asked to assume the role of team leader after John left."
- "He assumed full responsibility for the project's success."
- "I can't assume that you’ll finish it on time without some guidance."
- "The company assumed control over the new startup after the merger."
- "They assumed the responsibility of organizing the event."
To believe or accept something as true without verifying it.
Examples
- "I assumed she was coming to the party because she didn't say she wouldn't."
- "He assumed the document was legitimate because it looked official."
- "You should never assume that people understand what you're saying without clarification."
- "She assumed the meeting would be canceled when the CEO didn't show up."
- "We assumed the weather would be nice based on the forecast."
To take on or acquire a particular quality, form, or aspect.
Examples
- "The sky assumed a golden hue at sunset."
- "The problem assumed greater importance after the meeting."
- "The city assumed a new character with the arrival of new residents."
- "He assumed a look of surprise when he heard the news."
- "The task assumed a different form once we began to discuss it."
Cultural Context
The word 'assume' has been in use since the 14th century, derived from the Latin 'assumere', meaning 'to take up or take on'. Over time, it has been applied in various contexts, ranging from taking responsibility in professional settings to assuming something to be true in everyday language.
The Meeting of Minds
Story
The Meeting of Minds
It was a bright Monday morning when Maya walked into the conference room, ready for what she assumed would be a typical work meeting. The table was filled with her colleagues, each focused on their laptops. The air was thick with unspoken tension as the new project manager, Greg, stood up to speak. Maya assumed he would be taking charge, considering his title and previous experience, but she hadn’t anticipated that she would be asked to assume the role of team leader midway through the meeting. The idea of assuming responsibility for a team project was daunting, but Maya quickly realized that Greg had made an assumption of his own: that no one else could handle the pressure. His assumption led him to overlook the valuable input she had been offering over the past few weeks. As he made his announcement, Maya smiled, accepting the responsibility with grace. She had to admit, the thought of stepping up excited her more than she had assumed. Later that day, she met with her new team, where she had to assume a confident demeanor despite feeling nervous inside. One of her team members, John, questioned whether they could meet the project deadline. Maya assumed he was worried about the workload, but as the conversation unfolded, she realized he was more concerned about the quality of the final product. The next morning, as Maya walked through the office, she noticed the changing atmosphere. The once quiet workspace had now assumed a buzz of excitement as her team rallied around the new challenge. Maya knew that the path ahead wouldn’t be easy, but she felt certain that, together, they could accomplish what seemed impossible just days ago.
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