Word of the Day:

March 16, 2026

putative

adjective PYOO-tuh-tiv

What it Means

Putative is a formal word used to describe something that is generally believed, supposed, or assumed to be something specified. It is always used before a noun.

// The group's putative leader was conspicuously absent from the meeting.

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Putative in Context

"... the painting is swept up in questions of identity, provenance, authenticity and putative value." — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025

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Did You Know?

There's no need to make assumptions about the root behind putative—we know it comes from a form of the Latin verb putare, which means "to consider" or "to think." Putative is a rather formal word that has been part of English since the 15th century. Like apparent, presumed, and ostensible, it leaves room for a smidgen of doubt: a putative ally will very probably be there for you, and a putative successor is very likely to be the next one in charge, but life offers no guarantees in either case.

Quiz

Unscramble the letters to reveal a word from putare ("to consider") that means "to lay the responsibility or blame for (something) often falsely or unjustly": TPMIUE.

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