would-be

adjective

ˈwu̇d-ˈbē 

: desiring, intending, professing, or having the potential to be

tips for would-be mothers and fathers

The conference, held over the Labor Day weekend, drew 1200 to 1300 writers and would-be writers to the Hawaiian island this year …

—John F. Baker

Possibly the most hilarious and outrageous character was Joey Tribbiani, a would-be actor who struggles to find success in his chosen profession …

—The Cheat Sheet

She's a clueless, would-be do-gooder without much self-awareness.

—Maureen Ryan

Examples of would-be in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Doncic responded by knocking down a three-pointer in the face of Lendeborg, and then wagged his finger at his would-be defender. — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026

Gelin’s would-be opponent, incumbent Morey Wright, hasn’t conceded defeat yet. — Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026

Besides, with everyone on high alert for AI staging these days, would-be buyers sometimes see agents’ presence as evidence of ChatGPT chicanery. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 29 Oct. 2026

That was all anyone in the know would say, because the county government, which owned the land, signed a nondisclosure agreement with the would-be developer. — Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

would-be

adjective

ˌwu̇d-ˌbē

: desiring, intending, or pretending to be

a would-be poet