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).
-
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.
-
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
-
(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)
Related Words
See intend.
Other Word Forms
- mispropose verb
- proposable adjective
- proposer noun
- repropose verb
- unproposable adjective
- unproposing adjective
Etymology
Origin of propose
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French proposer ( pro- 1, pose 1 ), by association with derivatives of Latin prōpositus, past participle of prōpōnere “to set forth;” See propositus
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.
To move the field forward, the authors propose a detailed roadmap for future studies.
From Science Daily • Mar. 29, 2026
The four companies have the right to examine documents from the commission’s investigation files, reply in writing to its preliminary assessment and propose measures to address officials’ concerns.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026
Tell him that you are both in this together and you are both on the hook; propose setting up transaction alerts or daily limits on his other accounts.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026
Alberta is the first jurisdiction in Canada to independently propose limits to the practice.
From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026
“Yes, good. You do see. Now here’s what I propose: a twelve o’clock strike. What happens exactly at noon and at midnight?”
From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins
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.
