would-be Hear it!

would-be definition

would·-be (wo̵od′bē′)

adjective

  1. wishing or pretending to be a would-be expert
  2. intended, but failing, to be a would-be work of art

Etymology: ME (northern) walde be

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

would-be Synonyms

would-be

modif.

anticipated, assuming, supposed; see hopeful 1, intended.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

would-be Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • assassin: What cover does the area provide for would-be assassins?

Modifying Another Word

  • particularly: Paul Gamble homes in on the advantages for youngsters â particularly would-be rugby players.
would-be usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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"would-be." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/would-be>

APA Style

would-be. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/would-be

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