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 field of would-be flying car makers is growing, but Dukhovny sees just one real rival. — CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026

The Democratic Party’s recent electoral victories have lifted hopes of a warmer US welcome among would-be migrants. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 13 Nov. 2026

These four films are among the most memorable depictions of such would-be dystopias. — David Faris, TheWeek, 12 Nov. 2026

Back in 1990, the irrepressible Pat Williams — the same visionary who helped bring the NBA’s Magic to Orlando — convinced Boone to become the first manager of the would-be expansion SunRays. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Nov. 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