supposedly
suh-POH-zihd-lee
Supposedly (adv) means according to what is claimed or believed, though not necessarily true. Example: “This restaurant is supposedly the best in town, but I was disappointed.”
adv
1
According to what is claimed or believed, though not necessarily true.
"This restaurant is supposedly the best in town, but I was disappointed."
"The house is supposedly haunted."
"He supposedly quit his job to travel the world."
How to use supposedly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed to flag that a claim is unverified or doubted.
Common pairings
supposedly true
supposedly haunted
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This restaurant is _____ the best in town, but I was disappointed.
Etymology
From supposed + -ly.
Related words
Rhymes for supposedly
wickedly
allegedly
hurriedly
decidedly
assuredly
excitedly
repeatedly
reportedly
admittedly
undoubtedly
unexpectedly
wholeheartedly
See all rhymes for supposedly →
Frequently asked questions
What does “supposedly” mean?
The word “supposedly” means according to what is claimed or believed, though not necessarily true. In plain terms, used to flag that a claim is unverified or doubted.
How do you pronounce “supposedly”?
“Supposedly” is pronounced suh-POH-zihd-lee (/səˈpoʊ̯.zɪd.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “supposedly” in a sentence?
Here is “supposedly” used in a sentence: “The house is supposedly haunted.”
What part of speech is “supposedly”?
“Supposedly” is an adverb.
Is “supposedly” a common word?
“Supposedly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'supposedly' and 'apparently'?
'Supposedly' reports what people claim or believe while hinting that the speaker doubts it is true. 'Apparently' reports what seems to be the case based on available evidence or appearances, and usually carries less scepticism. So 'she is supposedly an expert' sounds more doubtful than 'she is apparently an expert.'
Does 'supposedly' imply doubt?
Yes, 'supposedly' usually signals that the speaker is sceptical, distancing themselves from a claim they are not sure is true. It flags information as reported or assumed rather than confirmed. Tone of voice or context can strengthen that doubt.
What is the difference between 'supposedly' and 'allegedly'?
'Allegedly' is more formal and often legal, used for accusations that have not been proven, as in news reports about crimes. 'Supposedly' is more general and everyday, covering any claim or assumption the speaker treats with doubt. Both distance the speaker from the truth of a statement.
Where does 'supposedly' go in a sentence?
'Supposedly' is flexible: it can open a sentence ('Supposedly, he left early'), sit before the main verb ('He supposedly left early'), or follow a form of 'be.' Placing it early tends to cast doubt over the whole statement. Wherever it sits, it marks the claim as unverified.
