suppose
suh-POHZ
Suppose (verb) means to assume or believe something without full proof. Example: “I suppose she's running late again.”
verb
1
To assume or believe something without full proof.
"I suppose she's running late again."
"Let's suppose the meeting gets cancelled — what then?"
"I suppose you've already eaten, since you didn't answer when I rang."
How to use suppose
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo assume or guess something is true, often without certainty.
Common pairings
I suppose so
suppose that
let's suppose
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- supposes
- Past tense
- supposed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I _____ she's running late again.
Etymology
From Old French supposer, from sub- ("under") + poser ("to place"), echoing Latin supponere ("to put under, substitute").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for suppose
See all rhymes for suppose →Frequently asked questions
What does “suppose” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “suppose”?
“Suppose” is pronounced suh-POHZ (/səˈpoʊz/ in IPA).
How do you use “suppose” in a sentence?
Here is “suppose” used in a sentence: “I suppose she's running late again.”
What is another word for “suppose”?
Words with a similar meaning to “suppose” include arread, assume, fancy, conjecture, conject and daresay.
What part of speech is “suppose”?
“Suppose” is a verb.
Where does the word “suppose” come from?
The word “suppose” comes from Latin. From Old French supposer, from sub- ("under") + poser ("to place"), echoing Latin supponere ("to put under, substitute").
Is “suppose” a common word?
“Suppose” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between suppose and assume?
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.
What is the difference between suppose and presume?
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.
What does 'I suppose' mean?
'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.'
What is an example of suppose in a sentence?
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.
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