suppose
to assume (something) for the sake of argument, as part of a proposition or theory, a problem set to be solved as an exercise, etc.: If we suppose the distance to be one mile, and his jogging speed to be six miles per hour, how long will it take him to cover the distance?OK, let's suppose we can get through their defenses—what then?
to consider (something) as a suggested possibility or proposed plan: Suppose we wait until tomorrow, after the weather clears up.
to believe or presume to be true; take for granted: Most people supposed that his death was an accident.Will you go on forever supposing that you can act this way without consequences?
to think or hold tentatively as an opinion; guess; imagine: What do you suppose he will do?I don’t suppose they’d lend us their truck, would they?
to require logically; imply; presuppose: The evidence supposes his presence near the scene.
to make assumptions or presuppositions; engage in hypothesizing or imagining: We must respect the ongoing investigation without supposing or speculating about the young man’s motives.I'm through with supposing and am going to start figuring!
Idioms about suppose
supposed to,
expected, intended, or obligated to: According to the agreement, the landlord is supposed to do any necessary repairs.It wasn’t supposed to rain today.Is that squiggle supposed to be your signature?
(used in the negative) not allowed to; forbidden to; obligated or required not to: I’m sorry, I didn't realize that I wasn't supposed to record the concert.Mom says we’re not supposed to touch the thermostat.
assumed or alleged to: He's supposed to look just like his father, but I don't see it.
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. 2024
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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