to assume

Examples

• All

• As the sun set, the sky assumed a beautiful shade of orange and pink.

• Thus, beneath the waters of the Trackless Sea, Coss-Axell-Sinioth assumed the shape of a proper creature.

  Fiction book (1992)

• All right, assume the position.

  Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970)

• I assumed a disguise of old age to make myself seem kind and weak.

  Gretel & Hansel (2020)

• Here you can see that she's assumed that fierce appearance.

  The British Museum

• Everyone loaded onto the elevator car, assuming the position: hands folded in front, eyes forward.

  Fiction book (1995)

• Both men leap to their feet and face each other, assuming martial arts stances.

  Fiction book (1992)

• Upon either side we saw grim death assuming the most horrid shapes.

• In time, they are magnified into myth and finally assume the epic form of unreality.

  Academic text (2011)

• The pop-up tent's memory fabric had immediately assumed the shape best fitted for his comfort.

  Fiction book (1991)

Synonyms

T

to take

vsto assume

∞ 1.0

Move into a position or seat

narrows this to visible changes in form, posture, or clothing

P

to put on

vsto assume

679 1.0

To dress yourself in clothes or wear things like makeup

includes that action but also covers adopting a posture or a look

T

to take on

vsto assume

146 3.6

Start to seem or show a particular quality

is more immediate, often meaning a visible change in look or posture

A

to adopt

vsto assume

135 3.2

To take on a new role, responsibility, or attitude

is more about visible or physical change rather than long term roles

P

to pose

vsto assume

109 3.8

To hold a position for a picture

is similar but also applies to clothing and other forms of appearance

G

to get into

vsto assume

82 2.6

To put on a piece of clothing

can mean changing clothing but also taking on a posture or form

D

to dress as

vsto assume

61 3.5

Put on a costume to look like someone or something else

is broader, meaning any change in outward look, posture, or clothing

D

to don

vsto assume

• Formal

38 6.8

To put on clothes

is broader, covering adopting looks, postures, or clothing rather than only dressing

S

to strike

vsto assume

• Informal

35 5.9

To hold a deliberate position or pose for effect

is broader, covering any adopted form, clothing, or posture

T

to take up

vsto assume

19 3.2

To move into a position or place for duty

is wider, also meaning taking on clothing or an outward appearance

A

to assume the position

vsto assume

6 7.6

To stand or sit as someone in charge orders

is more general, meaning taking on appearance, form, posture, or clothing

Antonyms

S

to strip

• NSFW

63 3.4

Take off most or all clothes

Idioms

A

to assume the mantle

• Formal

1 7.3

To take on an important role as a leader

A

to assume room temperature

8.2

To reach the same temperature as the room after being cold or hot

Phrasal Verbs

A

to assume the position

6 7.6

To stand or sit as someone in charge orders

How Deliberate

to adopt

135 3.2

to assume

23 4.1

to put on

679 1.0

to slip on

6 1.9

Surface Forms

Etymology