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

The office was also supposed to issue quarterly reports on immigrant crime, but only one report was issued in June 2018. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

The reception ends at 4, and they’re supposed to just d--- around for 5 hours until 9PM with nothing to do? —Erin Clack, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025

And you’re certainly not supposed to take their phone number and proceed to fall in love with them after failing to make an arrest. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2025

Originally supposed to fly Sierra Space Dream Chaser test flight, but payload switched to an inert mass simulator because of potential Dream Chaser delays beyond October launch date. —Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025

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