presumir
verbCEFR B2
What does “presumir” mean in English?
1.to boast, to show off
to boast, to show off (presumir de + noun/infinitive — brag about something)
2.to presume, to assume
to presume, to assume (presumir que + indicative — take as given without proof; legal register)
Example sentences
Siempre está presumiendo de conocer a gente influyente, pero nunca demuestra que esas conexiones le sirven para nada.
He's always boasting about knowing influential people, but he never demonstrates that those connections are of any use to him.
La ciudad presume de tener uno de los mejores sistemas de transporte público de Europa.
The city boasts of having one of the best public transport systems in Europe.
No es de las que presumen; sus logros hablan por sí solos.
She's not one of those who boast; her achievements speak for themselves.
How to use it
Presumir means 'to boast' or 'to show off'. The preposition is de: presumir de algo (boast about something). Common collocations: presumir de inteligente, presumir de tener contactos, presumir de éxito. It is slightly less formal than jactarse (which is more literary) and less harsh than alardear (which sounds more ostentatious). Presumir de + adjective often implies a self-awarded compliment: 'presume de honesto' (he prides himself on being honest). The noun el presuntuoso (show-off, conceited person) shares the root.
Common mistake
Presumir de (boast of/about) always uses de — never *presumir que or *presumir sobre. The adjective derived from this root, presuntuoso (conceited, presumptuous), is a false friend: English 'presumptuous' (assuming too much, forward) ≠ presuntuoso (conceited, vain). Also: presumir (boast) ≠ presumir en detective fiction (to presume/suspect — that's sospechar or suponer). Context is crucial.