verb \sə-ˈpōz, oftenest after I ˈspōz\

: to think of (something) as happening or being true in order to imagine what might happen

: to believe (something) to be true

: to believe (something) to be possible


Full Definition of SUPPOSE

transitive verb
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>
a :  conceive, imagine
b :  to have a suspicion of
intransitive verb

Examples of SUPPOSE

  1. Suppose a fire broke out. How would we escape?
  2. Just suppose for a moment that you agreed with me.
  3. Supposing he refuses to help, what do we do then?
  4. The renovations will cost much more than we originally supposed.

Origin of SUPPOSE

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


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