pronunciation note: Pronounced (səpoʊzd) or (səpoʊst) for meanings [sense 1] to , [sense 4], and (səpoʊzɪd) for meaning [sense 5].
1.
See be supposed to do sth
2.
See be supposed to do sth
3.
See be supposed to be sth/have done sth
4.
See be supposed to be sth/have done sth
5. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You can use supposed to suggest that something that people talk about or believe in may not in fact exist, happen, or be as it is described.
I am no longer fooled by the supposed benefits of a phoneless existence.
...when the rule of law is broken by its supposed guardians.
supposedly (səpoʊzɪdli)adverb [ADVERB with verb]
He was more of a victim than any of the people he supposedly offended.
Supposedly his last words to her were: 'You must not pity me.'
Synonyms: presumably, allegedly, ostensibly, theoretically More Synonyms of supposed
More Synonyms of supposed
supposed in British English
(səˈpəʊzd, -ˈpəʊzɪd)
adjective
1. (prenominal)
presumed to be true without certain knowledge
his supposed date of birth
2. (prenominal)
believed to be true on slight grounds; highly doubtful
the supposed existence of ghosts
3. (səˈpəʊzd)(postpositive; foll byto)
expected or obliged (to)
I'm supposed to be there at nine
4. (səˈpəʊzd)(postpositive; used in negative; foll byto)
expected or obliged not (to)
you're not supposed to walk on the grass
Derived forms
supposedly (səˈpəʊzɪdlɪ)
adverb
supposed in American English
(səˈpoʊzd; səˈpoʊzɪd)
adjective
1.
regarded as true, genuine, etc., without actual knowledge
2.
merely imagined
Examples of 'supposed' in a sentence
supposed
But its supposed friends have too easily seen its problems as self-contained, and allowed themselves yet another conference in which to tackle the worsening trouble.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
supposed
British English: supposed ADJECTIVE
If you say that something is supposed to happen, you mean that it is planned or expected. Sometimes this use suggests that the thing does not really happen in this way.
He was supposed to have reported to his new boss more than two hours ago.
American English: supposed
Brazilian Portuguese: que deve acontecer
Chinese: 被认为应该
European Spanish: supuesto
French: censé
German: eigentlich
Italian: che deve
Japanese: ~するはずの
Korean: 소위 -라는
European Portuguese: que deve acontecer
Latin American Spanish: supuesto
1 (adjective)
She outlined what they were supposed to discuss at the board meeting.