would-be
[ wood-bee ]
/ ˈwʊdˌbi /
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adjective
wishing or pretending to be: a would-be wit.
intended to be: a would-be kindness.
noun
a person who wishes or pretends to be something: Opera singers and would-bes should practice at least four hours a day.
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QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
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Question 1 of 7
“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
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Origin of would-be
1250–1300; Middle English (adj.)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for would-be
July 17: A little upset by the episode of the wouldbe assassin, I decided to go up to London for the day.
Greener Than You Think|Ward MooreA big word that Mr. Wouldbe uses where Mr. Is uses the little word live.
The Verbalist|Thomas Embly Osmun, (AKA Alfred Ayres)Many criminals are acquitted who wouldbe convicted if the penalty were imprisonment.
Public Speaking|Clarence Stratton
British Dictionary definitions for would-be
would-be
adjective (prenominal)
usually derogatory wanting or professing to bea would-be politician
intended to bewould-be generosity
noun
derogatory a person who wants or professes to be something that he is not
Indian the person to whom one is is engaged to be married; fiancé or fiancée
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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