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.
-
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)
-
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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unproposableadjective
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unproposingadjective
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proposernoun
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proposableadjective
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misproposeverb
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reproposeverb
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have proposedperfect
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has proposedperfect 3rd person singular
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have been proposingperfect progressive
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am proposingprogressive 1st person singular
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are proposingprogressive
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has been proposingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is proposingprogressive 3rd person singular
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proposingparticiple
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proposessingular 3rd person
Past
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had proposedperfect
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was proposingprogressive singular
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were proposingprogressive plural
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had been proposingperfect progressive
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proposedparticiple
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proposedsimple
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.
So, Henry became familiar with local zoning and planning and that intimate knowledge allowed her to propose actionable changes like data center bans.
From Salon • Jun. 12, 2026
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission will propose new rules for prediction markets, allowing most sports-related bets while seeking to avoid manipulation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
In a new paper in Philosophical Transactions B, we propose a neural model for minimal consciousness in insects.
From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026
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
“Do you want to bring it up with your father? What would you propose we do with it? Look around. It’s a wreck.”
From "The Marvels" by Brian Selznick
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.
