suppose

verb

sup·​pose sə-ˈpōz 

usually after "I" ˈspōz

supposed; supposing

transitive verb

1

a

: to lay down tentatively as a hypothesis, assumption, or proposal

suppose a fire broke out

suppose you bring the salad

b(1)

: to hold as an opinion : believe

they supposed they were early

(2)

: to think probable or in keeping with the facts

seems reasonable to suppose that he would profit

2

a

: conceive, imagine

b

: to have a suspicion of

3

: presuppose

intransitive verb

: conjecture, opine

Synonyms of suppose

• estimate
• guess
• calculate
• figure
• make
• reckon
• put
• gauge

Examples of suppose in a Sentence

Suppose a fire broke out. How would we escape?

Just suppose for a moment that you agreed with me.

Supposing he refuses to help, what do we do then?

The renovations will cost much more than we originally supposed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Otherwise, it’s supposed to be the same, but served in a brown paper takeout bowl. — Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

That sort of thing wasn’t supposed to be possible under such pedestrian conditions. — George Musser, Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026

There’s a part in the Robbie episode where Fiona talks about how flight attendants putting their coats and luggage in the closet that’s supposed to hold wheelchairs makes her life way harder. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2026

For Henry Mercer, driving a school bus was never supposed to become a lifelong career. — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French supposer, from Medieval Latin supponere (perfect indicative supposui), from Latin, to put under, substitute, from sub- + ponere to put — more at position

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing suppose

• I don't suppose

Rhymes for suppose

• aloes
• arose
• bestows
• boroughs
• buboes
• cargoes
• cocos
• compos
• compose
• crossbows
• demos
• depose

Kids Definition

suppose

verb

sup·​pose sə-ˈpōz 

supposed; supposing

1

: to take as true or as a fact for the sake of argument

suppose a fire should break out

2

: to hold as an opinion : believe

they supposed they were on the right bus

3

: to come to a conclusion arrived at by guessing

who do you suppose will win