putative
Americanadjective
adjective
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(prenominal) commonly regarded as being
the putative father
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(prenominal) considered to exist or have existed; inferred
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grammar denoting a mood of the verb in some languages used when the speaker does not have direct evidence of what he is asserting, but has inferred it on the basis of something else
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of putative
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Late Latin putātīvus “considered, reckoned, reputed,” equivalent to putāt(us) (past participle of putāre “to think, consider, reckon,” originally “to prune (trees), clean (wool)” + -īvus -ive
Explanation
You might be the putative leader of your lacrosse team, even if someone else holds the title of captain. Putative means to be known as something by reputation, or assumed to be something, or generally accepted. Every once in a while, a putative planet is reported in the news, which we get very excited about and which usually turns out to be an illusion. But in 2005, an astronomer discovered what appears to be a new planet beyond Neptune. But is this putative planet for real? There is always some doubt — something not quite official — about putative things.
Vocabulary lists containing putative
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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.
It may be a big week for the Federal Reserve as putative Chair Kevin Warsh will face a confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 20, 2026
This effort, which has bipartisan support, is important because disability judges sometimes have approved or disapproved disability benefits based on the putative availability of old jobs that no longer truly exist.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2025
In India, the unexpected pummeling by a putative partner has led to anger and soul-searching.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2025
Somewhat inexplicably, Eddie Fales, Baldwin’s ex-lover, was also there as his putative “secretary,” while his current lover, Lucien Happersberger, presumably because he was not American, was not.
From Slate ● Aug. 18, 2025
Lawrence, for his part, was inclined to call Teller’s bluff, for his putative partner was already proving entirely too fractious for his taste.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
