propose
See also: proposé
English
Etymology
From Middle English proposen, from Anglo-Norman proposer (verb), propos (noun), Middle French proposer (verb) , propos (noun), from Latin prōpōnō, prōpōnēre, with conjugation altered based on poser. Doublet of propound.
Pronunciation
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /pɹəˈpəʊz/
- (General American) IPA(key): /pɹəˈpoʊz/
Audio (US) (file) - Rhymes: -əʊz
Verb
propose (third-person singular simple present proposes, present participle proposing, simple past and past participle proposed)
- (transitive) To suggest a plan, course of action, etc.
- Synonyms: put forth, suggest, (rare) forthput
- I propose going to see a film.
- to propose an alliance
- to propose a question for discussion
- 2019, VOA Learning English (public domain)
- President Moon Jae-in proposed the plan this week during a meeting with government officials, his spokesman said.
Audio (US) (file)
- President Moon Jae-in proposed the plan this week during a meeting with government officials, his spokesman said.
- (intransitive, sometimes followed by to) To ask for a person's hand in marriage.
- He proposed to her last night and she accepted him.
- (transitive) To intend.
- He proposes to set up his own business.
- 1859, John Gorham Palfrey, History of New England, Preface (Google preview):
- I propose to relate, in several volumes, the history of the people of New England.
- 2013 August 16, John Vidal, “Dams endanger ecology of Himalayas”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 10, page 8:
- Many of the proposed dams would be among the tallest in the world.
- (obsolete) To talk; to converse.
- 1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act III, scene i]:
- HERO. Good Margaret, run thee to the parlour;
There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice
Proposing with the prince and Claudio
-
- (obsolete) To set forth.
- [1611?], Homer, “Book XI”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., The Iliads of Homer Prince of Poets. […], London: […] Nathaniell Butter, OCLC 614803194; The Iliads of Homer, Prince of Poets, […], volume I, new edition, London: Charles Knight and Co., […], 1843, OCLC 987451361:
- […] so weighty was the cup,
That being propos'd brimful of wine, one scarce could lift it up.
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Usage notes
- In use 1, this is sometimes a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing).
- In use 3, this is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive.
- For more information, see Appendix:English catenative verbs
- Compared to to suggest, to propose is more deliberate and definite. To suggest is merely to mention, while to propose is to have a definite plan and intention.
Derived terms
- proposal
- proposement
Related terms
- proponent
- proposition
Translations
to suggest a plan or course of action
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to ask for one's hand in marriage
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to intend
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked
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Noun
propose (plural proposes)
- (obsolete) An objective or aim.
- 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 17, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], OCLC 946730821:
- whose aime hath beene to make us not good and wittie, but wise and learned; She hath attained her propose.
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Anagrams
- opposer, poopers
French
Pronunciation
Audio (file)
Verb
propose
- inflection of proposer:
- first/third-person singular present indicative/subjunctive
- second-person singular imperative
Anagrams
- opposer
Italian
Verb
propose
- third-person past historic of proporre
Anagrams
- propeso