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
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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.
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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
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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)
-
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
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proposesimple
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proposessimple
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have proposedperfect
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has proposedperfect
-
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
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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:
To explain the effect, the researchers propose a process known as the "back-bending" of Landau levels.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 5, 2026
The research does not propose physical mechanisms for the observed changes.
From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026
And what does the National Trust now propose be done with the construction?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
Rodriguez had a hunch he might propose because they had formed such a tight bond during their overseas trip.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
"And what do you propose to do to me?" asked Yvaine, but she was not entirely surprised when the woman did not reply.
From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman
Cascade proposes obvious solutions, including high-occupancy toll lanes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
This one is focused on how lonely many of us are despite being constantly connected with everyone in our lives through our phones, and proposes a way to change it.
From Slate ● Aug. 17, 2026
Between bites of a chocolate ice cream bar, Coleman proposes continuing on toward Santa Clarita, via the twisties on Bouquet Canyon and Spunky Canyon roads.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
It also proposes five new possible exemptions for accommodation that cannot be used as permanent homes, including properties on owners' farms.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
If anyone proposes another match race between these two super horses,” wrote a reporter after the race, “henceforth, he will be tried in the morning for treason, mutiny, mopery and non compos mentis.'''’
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
In Harris County, a proposed Flock contract amendment initially included the explicit authorisation to share camera data with federal law enforcement, but this provision was later removed after push-back from campaigners.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026
The proposed donation was never made as it was part of an undercover sting, but that it was seemingly entertained has sparked questions.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026
One possibility proposed by the researchers is that the shape could help younger and smaller sharks swim more efficiently.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 4, 2026
The U.S. proposed building a corridor featuring rail lines, pipelines and roads connecting Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, its landlocked exclave that sits between Armenia and Turkey whose population is more than 99% Azerbaijani.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
Einstein had proposed stranger things and had been entirely right.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
Most of us probably didn’t picture them extrapolating a story “based on a true rumor” into a comedy proposing the famous Texans may be half-siblings.
From Salon ● Sep. 4, 2026
Although it was Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs who formally introduced the resolution, Wednesday marked the first time in 30 years that a House speaker has led the charge on proposing a constitutional amendment.
From Slate ● Sep. 3, 2026
Yet no one is proposing a national moratorium on country clubs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
Bass said Thursday that transportation officials are proposing different designs for Forest Lawn Drive that will be “more appropriate for the area.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
In the afternoon a sculptor came, proposing to replace the head of the great bronze harpy in the Plaza of Purification with one cast in Dany’s image.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
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.
