propose
Americanverb (used with object)
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to offer or suggest (a matter, subject, case, etc.) for consideration, acceptance, or action.
to propose a new method.
- Antonyms:
- withdraw
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to offer (a toast).
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to suggest.
He proposed that a messenger be sent.
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to present or nominate (a person) for some position, office, membership, etc.
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to put before oneself as something to be done; design; intend.
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to present to the mind or attention; state.
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to propound (a question, riddle, etc.).
verb (used without object)
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to make an offer or suggestion, especially of marriage.
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to form or consider a purpose or design.
verb
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(when tr, may take a clause as object) to put forward (a plan, motion, etc) for consideration or action
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(tr) to nominate, as for a position
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(tr) to plan or intend (to do something)
I propose to leave town now
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(tr) to announce the drinking of (a toast) to (the health of someone, etc)
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to make an offer of marriage (to someone)
Synonym Usage
See intend.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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misproposeverb
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reproposeverb
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unproposableadjective
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unproposingadjective
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proposernoun
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proposableadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has proposedperfect 3rd person singular
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have proposedperfect
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has been proposingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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are proposingprogressive
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is proposingprogressive 3rd person singular
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have been proposingperfect progressive
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proposingparticiple
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proposessingular 3rd person
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am proposingprogressive 1st person singular
Past
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had proposedperfect
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had been proposingperfect progressive
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was proposingprogressive singular
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proposedparticiple
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proposedsimple
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were proposingprogressive plural
Future
Etymology
Origin of propose
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French proposer ( see pro- 1, pose 1), by association with derivatives of Latin prōpositus, past participle of prōpōnere “to set forth;” See propositus
Explanation
The verb propose means "to suggest a plan," like the most well-known thing to propose: marriage. If you propose to your girlfriend, you propose getting married, and you probably give her a ring, too. The word propose comes from the Old French root words pro, meaning "forth" and poser, meaning "put, place." Using propose to refer to an offer of marriage was first recorded in the 1700s but the verb also has other meanings. It can mean to present for consideration or criticism, like proposing a four-day school week or "to nominate someone for an elected office or official post."
Vocabulary lists containing propose
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 5
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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 3
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But LeBlanc added Canada understands the United States and Mexico "may wish to propose areas where improvements may be warranted," adding that for Ottawa addressing Trump's sector-specific tariffs "will be essential."
From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026
"They propose we replace people like him with a picture of a beaver," said Reform leader Nigel Farage, although the beaver has subsequently failed to make the shortlist.
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
Ferrell’s shtick on social media is accepting challenges from his followers and then taping himself attempting to do what they propose.
From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026
At scales roughly a billion billion times smaller than a proton, physicists propose that everything may be made of incredibly tiny vibrating strings.
From Science Daily • May 19, 2026
He’ll propose after he finishes university, she assured me.
From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
