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

• guess
• estimate
• figure
• make
• calculate
• reckon
• put

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

We weren’t supposed to watch too much TV in our household, but that didn’t stop us. —Maris Kreizman, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025

We aren’t even supposed to give straws, utensils or salad condiments without the guest requesting them. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2025

The practice is federally mandated, and one of the justifications for the policy is that it’s supposed to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. —Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 23 June 2025

Police found that Owens tried getting into the building knowing he was not supposed to be in there, Wilson said. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2025

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
• bedclothes
• bestows
• boroughs
• buboes
• cargoes
• cocos
• 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