suppose

 
Pronunciation: /səˈpəʊz/

verb

  • 1 [with clause] think or assume that something is true or probable but lack proof or certain knowledge: I suppose I got there about noon [with object]: he supposed the girl to be about twelve
  • used to make a suggestion or a hesitant admission: [in imperative]: suppose we leave this to the police I’m quite a good actress, I suppose
  • used to introduce a hypothesis and imagine its development: suppose he had been murdered—what then?
  • (of a theory or argument) assume or require that something is the case as a precondition: the procedure supposes that a will has already been proved [with object]: the theory supposes a predisposition to interpret utterances
  • 2 (be supposed to do something) be required to do something because of the position one is in or an agreement one has made: I’m supposed to be meeting someone at the airport
  • [with negative] be forbidden to do something: I shouldn’t have been in the study—I’m not supposed to go in there

Phrases

I suppose so

used to express hesitant agreement: ‘You see I have to do this?’ ‘I suppose so.’

Derivatives

supposable

adjective

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French supposer, from Latin supponere (from sub- 'from below' + ponere 'to place'), but influenced by Latin suppositus 'set under' and Old French poser 'to place'

Spelling help

Spell suppose with a double p.