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.

---

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

---

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

"I am going door to door," BNP candidate S.M Zilany, 57, told AFP, saying many would-be voters had never had a candidate canvass for their backing.

From Barron's

But what would-be buyers may not know is the tech behind this isn't necessarily US-made.

From BBC

Lines would stretch for blocks, drawing the ire of would-be customers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Intuitive Surgical is still in the early innings of its cardiac offerings, analysts at Truist Securities said, but this segment could further differentiate the company from would-be rivals.

From Barron's

The relatively low salaries being offered to would-be bettors reflect that.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• budding
• enterprising
• potential
• prospective