suppose
Americanverb (used with object)
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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?
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to consider (something) as a suggested possibility or proposed plan.
Suppose we wait until tomorrow, after the weather clears up.
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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?
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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?
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to require logically; imply; presuppose.
The evidence supposes his presence near the scene.
verb (used without object)
idioms
verb
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to presume (something) to be true without certain knowledge
I suppose he meant to kill her
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to consider as a possible suggestion for the sake of discussion, elucidation, etc; postulate
suppose that he wins the election
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(of theories, propositions, etc) to imply the inference or assumption (of)
your policy supposes full employment
Other Word Forms
- missuppose verb
- supposable adjective
- supposably adverb
- supposer noun
- unsupposable adjective
Etymology
Origin of suppose
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English supposen, from Old French supposer, from sup- sup- + poser “to place, put” ( pose 1 ); compare Medieval Latin suppōnere “to suppose” (in Latin: “to substitute, place below”)
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.
In addition to American rivals such as China, Iran and Russia, various democratic governments have decried supposed U.S. violations of international law in arresting Mr. Maduro.
Are we supposed to believe this is U.S. policy?
This time around, energy executives were supposed to have learned their lesson.
From Barron's
It was supposed to be a chat about the transfer window but the topic became tactics.
From BBC
Clements, who met in San Juan with friends and family—including two from Ireland and three from Indiana—was supposed to head back to New York on Saturday evening.
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.
