would-be
Americanadjective
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wishing or pretending to be.
a would-be wit.
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intended to be.
a would-be kindness.
noun
adjective
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derogatory wanting or professing to be
a would-be politician
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intended to be
would-be generosity
noun
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derogatory a person who wants or professes to be something that he is not
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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.
Doncic responded by knocking down a three-pointer in the face of Lendeborg, and then wagged his finger at his would-be defender.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026
The paper said it had seen text messages and interviewed 12 people who who participated in or were told of the plan, or were would-be candidates who the team tried to recruit.
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026
But Gallant—who is gay, and already out—hasn’t been significantly impacted by the would-be controversy.
From Slate ● Oct. 27, 2026
News also broke that at least four additional top partners are departing for rival firms and the firm’s would-be incoming leader no longer plans to take the role.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
Years ago, in my earliest and pastiest days as a would-be writer, I once read a new story aloud to S. and Boo Boo.
From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
