suppose

verb

sup·​pose sə-ˈpōz 

 usually after "I"  ˈspōz

supposed; supposing

transitive verb

1

a

: to lay down tentatively as a hypothesis, assumption, or proposal

suppose a fire broke out

suppose you bring the salad

b(1)

: to hold as an opinion : believe

they supposed they were early

(2)

: to think probable or in keeping with the facts

seems reasonable to suppose that he would profit

2

a

: conceive, imagine

b

: to have a suspicion of

3

: presuppose

intransitive verb

: conjecture, opine

Synonyms

• calculate
• call
• conjecture
• estimate
• figure
• gauge
• gage
• guess
• judge
• make
• place
• put
• reckon

Examples of suppose in a Sentence

Suppose a fire broke out. How would we escape?

Just suppose for a moment that you agreed with me.

Supposing he refuses to help, what do we do then?

The renovations will cost much more than we originally supposed.

Recent Examples on the Web

He’s supposed to read as a reanimated corpse; a once-suave and debonaire one, but a corpse all the same. —Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 20 Dec. 2024

It’s supposed to be a surprise gift for Dad. Lázsló is enlisted to design it. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2024

Related article Americans may have to actually brace for stagflation with Trump tariffs But wait — wasn’t Trump’s win supposed to be the Holy Grail igniting Wall Street for the next four years with tax cuts and deregulation galore? —Elisabeth Buchwald and David Goldman, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024

We're also supposed to be getting new DC superhero skins, along with some from the Star Wars universe in this update. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French supposer, from Medieval Latin supponere (perfect indicative supposui), from Latin, to put under, substitute, from sub- + ponere to put — more at position

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing suppose

• I don't suppose

Kids Definition

suppose

verb

sup·​pose sə-ˈpōz 

supposed; supposing

1

: to take as true or as a fact for the sake of argument

suppose a fire should break out

2

: to hold as an opinion : believe

they supposed they were on the right bus

3

: to come to a conclusion arrived at by guessing

who do you suppose will win