suppose

verb

sup·​pose sə-ˈpōz How to pronounce suppose (audio)
 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
b
: to have a suspicion of
3

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Records aren’t supposed to matter in Derby matches. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025 The film series centers on various groups of people who survive catastrophic accidents they weren’t supposed to live through. Keith Langston, People.com, 18 May 2025 While in grade school, the older brother once convinced him to ride bikes in a section of the forest preserve where they weren’t supposed to go. Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025 What are we supposed to cling to when the ground is shaking? Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for suppose

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of suppose was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Suppose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suppose. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

suppose

verb
sup·​pose sə-ˈpōz How to pronounce suppose (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on suppose

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