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be supposed to. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
be supposed to, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
be supposed to in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
be supposed to you have here. The definition of the word
be supposed to will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
be supposed to, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
- (US) IPA(key): /bi(ː) səˈpoʊs ˌtu/ (stressed)
- (US) IPA(key): /bi(ː) səˈpoʊs tə/ (unstressed)
Verb
be supposed to (third-person singular simple present is supposed to, present participle being supposed to, simple past was supposed to, past participle been supposed to)
- (idiomatic) To be required to, ought to, expected to
I am supposed to report to the police every week.
Paul is supposed to call his mother every day.
- (idiomatic, with not) To be permitted to.
I am not supposed to smoke there.
- (idiomatic, in interrogative or similar situations) To be expected to; to be capable of (used to indicate that an expectation is impossible or unreasonable in the context).
How am I supposed to work in all this racket?
What was he supposed to do—just sit there and do nothing?
- (idiomatic) To intended to; to be expected to; to believed to.
It's supposed to rain.
The thief is supposed to be hiding in the forest.
Usage notes
- Followed by an obligatory bare infinitive.
- Often implies that the opposite is a strong possibility.
Synonyms
Translations
References