would-be
Americanadjective
-
wishing or pretending to be.
a would-be wit.
-
intended to be.
a would-be kindness.
noun
adjective
-
derogatory wanting or professing to be
a would-be politician
-
intended to be
would-be generosity
noun
-
derogatory a person who wants or professes to be something that he is not
-
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The NBA has never been less kind to would-be superteams trying to stack up star players.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026
“Home prices hit record highs this summer in many markets across the U.S., while higher gas prices and concerns about overall inflation rising have created more financial strain for would-be buyers,” she said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
Some are by amateur forensic analysts and would-be internet sleuths with podcast names like The Murder Men that dissect the killing as if it’s a 1980s cold case.
From Slate ● Jul. 21, 2026
What is your message to other people who might be critical of the current government, to would-be protesters?
From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026
The two would-be boxers looked over at her.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
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.
