suppose

The word “suppose” means to assume or believe something without full proof. In plain terms, to assume or guess something is true, often without certainty.

“Suppose” is pronounced suh-POHZ (/səˈpoʊz/ in IPA).

Here is “suppose” used in a sentence: “I suppose she's running late again.”

Words with a similar meaning to “suppose” include arread, assume, fancy, conjecture, conject and daresay.

“Suppose” is a verb.

The word “suppose” comes from Latin. From Old French supposer, from sub- ("under") + poser ("to place"), echoing Latin supponere ("to put under, substitute").

“Suppose” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

Both mean to accept something without full proof, but assume is usually firmer, as you act on it as if it were true. Suppose is often more tentative, a provisional guess open to being wrong. To assume the door is locked is more confident than to suppose it is.

Presume implies stronger grounds; you take something to be true because evidence or custom points that way, as in innocent until proven guilty. Suppose is weaker and more casual, a working assumption with little backing. Presume leans confident, while suppose leans uncertain.

'I suppose' signals reluctant or lukewarm agreement; you accept something, but without enthusiasm or full conviction. If someone says 'I suppose you're right,' they are conceding the point rather than embracing it. It can also introduce a guess, as in 'I suppose she's already left.'

For example: 'I suppose the traffic made them late.' Here suppose means to believe something likely without knowing for sure. It also introduces hypotheticals, as in 'Suppose we tried a different approach,' inviting the listener to imagine a scenario.