propose
Americanverb (used with object)
-
proposes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
proposed,
past participle, past
-
proposing
present participle
-
to offer or suggest (a matter, subject, case, etc.) for consideration, acceptance, or action.
to propose a new method.
- Antonyms:
- withdraw
-
to offer (a toast).
-
to suggest.
He proposed that a messenger be sent.
-
to present or nominate (a person) for some position, office, membership, etc.
-
to put before oneself as something to be done; design; intend.
-
to present to the mind or attention; state.
-
to propound (a question, riddle, etc.).
verb (used without object)
-
proposes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
proposed,
past participle, past
-
proposing
present participle
-
to make an offer or suggestion, especially of marriage.
-
to form or consider a purpose or design.
verb
-
(when tr, may take a clause as object) to put forward (a plan, motion, etc) for consideration or action
-
(tr) to nominate, as for a position
-
(tr) to plan or intend (to do something)
I propose to leave town now
-
(tr) to announce the drinking of (a toast) to (the health of someone, etc)
-
to make an offer of marriage (to someone)
Synonym Usage
See intend.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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proposernoun
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misproposeverb
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reproposeverb
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proposableadjective
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unproposableadjective
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unproposingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
proposesimple
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proposessimple
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have proposedperfect
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has proposedperfect
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am proposingprogressive
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are proposingprogressive
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is proposingprogressive
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have been proposingperfect progressive
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has been proposingperfect progressive
Past
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proposedsimple
-
had proposedperfect
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was proposingprogressive
-
were proposingprogressive
-
had been proposingperfect progressive
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.
See Examples For:
Similar patterns appear on Sputnik Planitia, leading researchers to propose that subsurface liquid, specifically nitrogen, may be rising upward and wetting Pluto's frozen nitrogen surface.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 17, 2026
The fourth option was the optimal smoothing that economists propose.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026
But the path they propose ultimately redounds to their own benefit—and not humanity’s.
From Slate ● Sep. 15, 2026
Farley said Ford didn’t propose such a framework.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026
Instead, Indians propose placing control of the land into their hands.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
What Huberman’s worldview proposes is that motivated people can take small actions to relieve themselves of these endemic problems of middle age.
From Slate ● Sep. 18, 2026
If the auditor is not happy with what a company proposes, the commission can ask for "corrective measures".
From Barron's ● Sep. 17, 2026
The policy proposes covering more than four times the capital assets previously eligible for immediate expensing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
The report proposes 10 priority transitions, ranging from reducing black-carbon emissions and expanding glacier monitoring to improving disaster early-warning systems and changing the way tourism is developed in the mountains.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026
“A toast to Herr Thiessen,” Victor proposes, loud enough for the entire table to hear, and he raises his glass.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
None of this means every proposed data center will get built.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
The proposed salary amounted to around $1,800 a month, close to the $2,000 a month that South Korea’s spy agency says North Korean soldiers earn in Russia.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
Scientists have repeatedly proposed the possibility of an additional fifth force, but no such force has ever been confirmed.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 18, 2026
However, details of Carney's proposed plans for greater ties with the EU are scarce.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
Back in California, on the beach in Malibu, he proposed to her for a third time.
From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin
He was meeting with several lawmakers proposing AI bills Monday and Tuesday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
Activists, tech workers and more are sounding the alarm about AI’s risks and proposing various solutions to curb technology’s risks that include job displacement.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
Because in addition to what the couple wants to build on Sazan, they are proposing to build 10,000 luxury villas on the Zvernec peninsula, which lies opposite the island.
From Slate ● Sep. 8, 2026
So what exactly is the Scottish government proposing?
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026
“He seemed quite intent on proposing this fall,” Clara said, “but I am not sure if Ana will continue to entertain him.”
From "Ash" by Malinda Lo
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.
