putative

[ pyoo-tuh-tiv ]

/ ˈpyu tə tɪv /

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See synonyms for putative on Thesaurus.com

adjective

commonly regarded as such; reputed; supposed: the putative boss of the mob.

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM putative

pu·ta·tive·ly, adverbun·pu·ta·tive, adjectiveun·pu·ta·tive·ly, adverb

Words nearby putative

put an idea in one's head, put a premium on, put aside, put a spin on, put at ease, putative, putative marriage, put at someone's disposal, put away, put back, put back the clock

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use putative in a sentence

The putative end of the Reign of Terror came on July 28, 1794, when Maximilien Robespierre, the most prominent member of the Committee of Public Safety, and his closest colleagues were executed.
The French Revolution offers a critical lesson as the U.S. returns to normal|Christine Adams|May 7, 2021|Washington Post
If two condensates interfere in just the right way, the group predicted, experimentalists should be able to capture direct images of bubbles forming in the condensate—ones that act similarly to the putative bubbles of the multiverse.
How Universes Might Bubble Up and Collide - Facts So Romantic|Charlie Wood|January 28, 2021|Nautilus
If two condensates interfere in just the right way, the group predicted, experimentalists should be able to capture direct images of bubbles forming in the condensate — ones that act similarly to the putative bubbles of the multiverse.
Physicists Study How Universes Might Bubble Up and Collide|Charlie Wood|January 25, 2021|Quanta Magazine
Virginia’s putative leader at the Constitutional Convention, Washington’s first attorney general and second secretary of state, Edmund Randolph, suffers a fall from grace he probably doesn’t deserve.
Four presidents who put Virginia’s stamp on early America|Andrew Burstein|October 30, 2020|Washington Post

The “putative crisis” resembled a construction of its author.
How the ‘Witch Hunt’ Myth Undermined American Justice|Jason Berry|July 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Milk as a cause of or worsener of autism will have to join the long list of other putative causes.
No, PETA, Cow Milk Does Not Cause Autism|Kent Sepkowitz|May 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ever heard that statistic that 10% of kids are not actually descended from the putative father?
Don't Worry, Dads: Those Kids are Probably Yours|Megan McArdle|February 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Michael Bloomberg, a putative Republican, noted that the general public thinks the GOP is “meshugenah” over gun control.
Obama Brinksmanship Puts GOP in Tough Spot on Debt Ceiling|Daniel Gross|January 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Mitt Romney has been the putative nominee for a month now, ever since his Wisconsin win (if not before).
Michael Tomasky: The GOP’s Impending Electoral College Meltdown|Michael Tomasky|May 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The Commissioners strongly recommended the exemption of the putative father from any legal obligation to reimburse the parish.
English Poor Law Policy|Sidney Webb
The putative father may be asked to make his payments in such a way as to facilitate the recovery of the loan from the mother.
English Poor Law Policy|Sidney Webb
Mars, though not so frequently adopted by human females as a lover, had many children of whom he was the putative father.
Ancient Faiths And Modern|Thomas Inman
"I wish I never had to do any sums that made more than three," is the putative horse's comment.
Somehow Good|William de Morgan
She is yearning for the great event; not for a promised land of jerks and spasms for herself, but for her putative offspring.
Somehow Good|William de Morgan

British Dictionary definitions for putative

putative

/ (ˈpjuːtətɪv) /

adjective

(prenominal) commonly regarded as beingthe putative father

(prenominal) considered to exist or have existed; inferred

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

Derived forms of putative

putatively, adverb

Word Origin for putative

C15: from Late Latin putātīvus supposed, from Latin putāre to consider

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

putative

Origin of putative

OTHER WORDS FROM putative

Words nearby putative

Words related to putative

How to use putative in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for putative

Derived forms of putative

Word Origin for putative