suppose
Americanverb (used with object)
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to assume (something) for the sake of argument, as part of a proposition or theory, a problem set to be solved as an exercise, etc..
If we suppose the distance to be one mile, and his jogging speed to be six miles per hour, how long will it take him to cover the distance?
OK, let's suppose we can get through their defenses—what then?
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to consider (something) as a suggested possibility or proposed plan.
Suppose we wait until tomorrow, after the weather clears up.
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to believe or presume to be true; take for granted.
Most people supposed that his death was an accident.
Will you go on forever supposing that you can act this way without consequences?
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to think or hold tentatively as an opinion; guess; imagine.
What do you suppose he will do?
I don’t suppose they’d lend us their truck, would they?
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to require logically; imply; presuppose.
The evidence supposes his presence near the scene.
verb (used without object)
idioms
verb
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to presume (something) to be true without certain knowledge
I suppose he meant to kill her
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to consider as a possible suggestion for the sake of discussion, elucidation, etc; postulate
suppose that he wins the election
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(of theories, propositions, etc) to imply the inference or assumption (of)
your policy supposes full employment
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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supposesimple
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supposessimple
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have supposedperfect
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has supposedperfect
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am supposingprogressive
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are supposingprogressive
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is supposingprogressive
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have been supposingperfect progressive
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has been supposingperfect progressive
Past
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supposedsimple
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had supposedperfect
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was supposingprogressive
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were supposingprogressive
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had been supposingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of suppose
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English supposen, from Old French supposer, from sup- sup- + poser “to place, put” ( see pose 1); compare Medieval Latin suppōnere “to suppose” (in Latin: “to substitute, place below”)
Explanation
If you suppose you want to see that new horror movie, you may not be too sure. Suppose means to guess, think, or imagine something without absolute certainty. Best to hold off and watch something funny instead. Suppose also has the meaning of assuming something hypothetical for the sake of argument. You might ask, "Suppose someone breaks in while I'm away?" Suppose also has the more technical (and often legal) sense of something you must take for granted if some other condition is to happen. Your theory might suppose the victim was home by 8:00. In this last sense, suppose introduces something that's a precondition.
Vocabulary lists containing suppose
Think Tank: Thought-Provoking Vocabulary
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A Farewell To Arms
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"Journeys," Vocabulary from Lesson 28
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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.
Suppose you are fortunate enough to retire with the current maximum monthly Social Security benefit of $5,181 at age 70 and a $2 million Roth retirement account.
From Barron's • Jun. 24, 2026
Suppose you are fortune enough to retire with the current maximum monthly Social Security benefit of $5,181 at age 70 and a $2 million Roth retirement account.
From Barron's • Jun. 24, 2026
Suppose an hour of labor is worth about $64, roughly the average gross domestic product per hour worked in the countries in which Amazon operates.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026
Suppose the question is whether to ride a bike to work instead of drive.
From Slate • May 15, 2026
"Suppose you try and tell me what you think is wrong."
From "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath
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.
