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

The latest data on home loan applications show that the upward trend in mortgage rates has given some would-be homebuyers reason to pause. — Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Those have included previous premature pronouncements of agreements between Hamas and Israel that have left would-be donors skeptical. — Matthew Lee, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

That would-be buyer is a limited liability company — HSF Fairlane — linked to the Hull Property Group in Augusta, Georgia. — Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2026

She’s also lost in the memories of her heady youth, spent reclining in the sun and talking of politics and social concerns with various friends, lovers, and would-be suitors. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 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