Premise — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈpre-məs/ prem·ise

Meaning & Definition of Premise

Premise (noun)

  1. a proposition supposed or proved prior as a basis of argument or inference; specifically, either of the first two propositions of a syllogism from which the conclusion is drawn
  2. something assumed or taken for granted, presupposition
  3. the primary plot or storyline of a literary work, television show, etc.

Premise (verb)

  1. to set forth beforehand as an introduction or a postulate
  2. to offer as a premise in an argument
  3. postulate

Premise (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning

    "your conclusion is all wrong because you started out with a false premise"

    similar: assumption, given, hypothetical, if, postulate, presumption, presupposition, supposition
    related: hypothesis, proposition, theory, thesis, axiom, truism, verity, belief, canon, doctrine, dogma, gospel, law, precept, principle, rule, standard, tenet, basis, foundation, ground, conclusion, deduction, inference, affirmation, assertion, avouchment, declaration, dictum, ipse dixit

  2. the area around and belonging to a building

    "detectives painstakingly searched the premises for clues to the disappearance"

    similar: demesne, ground, park, yard
    related: acres, estate, land, lot, parcel, plot, property, real estate, realty, campus, backyard, churchyard, dooryard, close, enclosure, garden, garth, plaza

Premise (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to take as true or as a fact without actual proof

    "let us premise certain things, such as every person's need for love, before beginning our line of reasoning"

    similar: assume, hypothecate, hypothesize, postulate, presume, presuppose, say, suppose, take for granted
    related: accept, believe, credit, swallow, conclude, deduce, gather, infer, judge, take, conjecture, figure, guess, reckon (chiefly dialect), surmise, suspect, suspicion (chiefly dialect), think, conceive, dream, fancy, imagine, perceive, preconceive, speculate, theorize, affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend, declare, insist, maintain, profess
    near: challenge, controvert, disagree (with), disbelieve, discount, discredit, dispute, distrust, doubt, mistrust, question, wonder (about), deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, reject, repudiate, belie, confute, disprove, rebut, refute

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Premise

The most common words with a similar meaning to Premise:

assumption, given, hypothetical, if, postulate, presumption, presupposition, supposition, demesne, ground, park, yard, assume, hypothecate, hypothesize, presume, presuppose, say, suppose, take for granted

Related Words for Premise

hypothesis, proposition, theory, thesis, axiom, truism, verity, belief, canon, doctrine, dogma, gospel, law, precept, principle, rule, standard, tenet, basis, foundation, conclusion, deduction, inference, affirmation, assertion, avouchment, declaration, dictum, ipse dixit, acres

Near Antonyms of Premise

challenge, controvert, disagree (with), disbelieve, discount, discredit, dispute, distrust, doubt, mistrust, question, wonder (about), deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, reject, repudiate, belie, confute, disprove, rebut, refute

Word Forms of Premise

Inflections: premised, premising, premises

Origin & Etymology of Premise

in sense 1, from Middle English premisse, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin praemissa, from Latin, feminine of praemissus, past participle of praemittere to place ahead, from prae- pre- + mittere to send; in other senses, from Middle English premisses, from Medieval Latin praemissa, from Latin, neuter plural of praemissus

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Premise

Words & Phrases Containing Premise

major premise, minor premise

Frequently Asked Questions about Premise

What does "Premise" mean?

"Premise" means a proposition supposed or proved prior as a basis of argument or inference; specifically, either of the first two propositions of a syllogism from which the conclusion is drawn. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a proposition supposed or proved prior as a basis of argument or inference; specifically, either of the first two propositions of a syllogism from which the conclusion is drawn. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Premise"?

Other words for "Premise" include assumption, given, hypothetical, if, postulate, presumption, presupposition and supposition. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Premise" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Premise"?

There are 105 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Premise". Common alternatives include assumption, given, hypothetical, if, postulate, presumption, presupposition, supposition, demesne and ground.

How do you use "Premise" in a sentence?

Examples of "Premise" in a sentence: "your conclusion is all wrong because you started out with a false premise"; "detectives painstakingly searched the premises for clues to the disappearance"; "let us premise certain things, such as every person's need for love, before beginning our line of reasoning".

Is "Premise" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Premise" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Premise" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Premise" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Premise"?

"Premise" is pronounced /ˈpre-məs/ and divided into syllables as prem·ise.

What is the origin of the word "Premise"?

"Premise" comes from in sense 1, from Middle English premisse, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin praemissa, from Latin, feminine of praemissus, past participle of praemittere to place ahead, from prae- pre- + mittere to send; in other senses, from Middle English premisses, from Medieval Latin praemissa, from Latin, neuter plural of praemissus. First known use: 14th century.