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

Before the return-to-office order was first supposed to go into effect in July 2025, the agency changed its number of commuter routes to 11 in both the morning and afternoon. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2026

It’s supposed to be a sweeping and constructive process, akin to holding up a mirror to governments to improve their human rights policies. — Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026

The shoe was supposed quickly return the following month with the more traditional upper construction seen now, only in a natural mix of browns, but the release wound up being cancelled. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2026

How old were these songs—songs that sounded like so little else—supposed to be? — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 10 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