suppose
to assume (something), as for the sake of argument or as part of a proposition or theory: Suppose the distance to be one mile.
to consider (something) as a possibility suggested or an idea or plan proposed: Suppose we wait until tomorrow.
to believe or assume as true; take for granted: It is supposed that his death was an accident.
to think or hold as an opinion: What do you suppose he will do?
to require logically; imply; presuppose: The evidence supposes his presence near the scene.
(used in the passive) to expect or design; require or permit (followed by an infinitive verb):The machine is supposed to make noise. I'm not supposed to run fast.
Origin of suppose
1Other words from suppose
- sup·pos·a·ble, adjective
- sup·pos·a·bly, adverb
- sup·pos·er, noun
- mis·sup·pose, verb, mis·sup·posed, mis·sup·pos·ing.
- un·sup·pos·a·ble, adjective
Words Nearby suppose
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use suppose in a sentence
The so-called smart mask, partially unveiled on Thursday, is packed with hospital-grade HEPA filters and battery-powered fans that are supposed to make breathing easier by drawing in air.
LG unveils a new high-tech ‘smart mask.’ But does it protect against COVID? | dzanemorris | August 28, 2020 | FortuneWhen implanted into a brain, these threads would form a high-capacity channel for a computer to communicate with the brain, a system supposed to be much more powerful than the existing brain-machine interfaces being researched.
Elon Musk is one step closer to connecting a computer to your brain | Rebecca Heilweil | August 28, 2020 | VoxI suppose the advice that I would offer is to not sit around and wait for something to happen – make it happen.
Pepco employee talks diversity, inclusion, and COVID | Staff reports | August 28, 2020 | Washington BladeIt is this expanded version of the program, which was initially supposed to last one year, that is being extended.
‘We will do this together’: Germany will continue subsidizing workers’ wages through the end of 2021 | David Meyer | August 26, 2020 | FortuneIn the second case, Purdue University biologist Danny Haelewaters was supposed to be on six-nation field trip from Panama to eastern Russia.
How two new fungus species got named after the COVID-19 pandemic | Susan Milius | August 17, 2020 | Science News
suppose my hotel “conscientiously objects” to hosting a gay couple.
Do LGBTs Owe Christians an Olive Branch? Try The Other Way Around | Jay Michaelson | December 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“I suppose she'll want a fortune as well,” he says, looking at me as if I were Liv Ullmann's agent.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days | David Freeman | December 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut let's suppose for a second that these emails had been released to the press.
I suppose if you get obsessed with the notion of being a writer more than the writing itself, that would be bad.
The Veteran Who Took Home the National Book Award | Jacob Siegel | November 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTNow consider a different question: suppose Al Gore had stayed in the race.
The fire had been heaped over with earth—to screen it from prying eyes, I suppose, while the good work went on.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairI suppose he is sick of the sound of them, or perhaps it is because he feels obliged to be conscientious in teaching Beethoven!
Music-Study in Germany | Amy Fay"I suppose the man Alessandro has something he calls a home," said the Senora, regaining herself a little.
Ramona | Helen Hunt JacksonBut I suppose, as he is my nearest relative, it is but natural he should be anxious about my health.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsI suppose he thought he would live again in him, for he always says, "Never did such talent come under my hands."
Music-Study in Germany | Amy Fay
British Dictionary definitions for suppose
/ (səˈpəʊz) /
to presume (something) to be true without certain knowledge: I suppose he meant to kill her
to consider as a possible suggestion for the sake of discussion, elucidation, etc; postulate: suppose that he wins the election
(of theories, propositions, etc) to imply the inference or assumption (of): your policy supposes full employment
Origin of suppose
1Derived forms of suppose
- supposable, adjective
- supposer, noun
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with suppose
see I suppose so.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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