would-be

[wood-bee]

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of would-be¹

1250–1300; Middle English (adj.)

Example Sentences

No, despite what the astonishingly corrupt, would-be Roman emperor occupying the White House tells you, we are not the enemy: we are Americans.

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One previous candidate dropped out of the running after a disastrous hearing before the council, and another would-be commissioner quietly withdrew from running earlier this year.

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On the Ninth Circuit, Judge Kennedy ruled against Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, the would-be assassin of President Ford, on a petition to reduce her bail.

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Elevated mortgage rates and prices that continue to hover around all-time highs have priced out many would-be buyers.

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But they’ve also returned with some advice for would-be travelers: Set aside a few buffer days after your scheduled return.

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Related Words

• budding 
• enterprising 
• potential 
• prospective