would-be

American  

[wood-bee] / ˈwʊdˌbi /

adjective

1. wishing or pretending to be.

   a would-be wit.

2. intended to be.

   a would-be kindness.

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noun

1. a person who wishes or pretends to be something.

   Opera singers and would-bes should practice at least four hours a day.

would-be British  

adjective

1. derogatory wanting or professing to be

   a would-be politician

2. intended to be

   would-be generosity

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noun

1. derogatory a person who wants or professes to be something that he is not

2. the person to whom one is is engaged to be married; fiancé or fiancée

Etymology

Origin of would-be

1250–1300; Middle English (adj.)

Example Sentences

"We do not expect the whole country will be covered with gold after elections," said the People's Party candidate known to friends, family and his would-be voters by the nickname "Marky".

From Barron's

Some would-be customers lingered outside the premises, seemingly wondering whether it was all right to go inside.

From Los Angeles Times

Jordan then bulked up to star in the Coogler-directed boxing movie “Creed,” followed by Marvel blockbuster “Black Panther,” in which he played the title hero’s would-be usurper, Killmonger.

From Los Angeles Times

Other would-be CEO candidates have left the company in recent years.

From The Wall Street Journal

That’s when Bryce Fitzgerald, a freshman who had already picked off a Reed pass earlier in the game, stepped in front of a would-be touchdown throw to intercept it.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• budding
• enterprising
• potential
• prospective