propose

English

Etymology

From Middle English proposen, from Anglo-Norman proposer (verb), propos (noun), Middle French proposer (verb) , propos (noun), from Latin prōpōnō, prōpōnere, 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)

1. (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)

2. (intransitive, sometimes followed by to) To ask for a person's hand in marriage.

   He proposed to her last night and she accepted him.

3. (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.

4. (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 Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, :

     HERO. Good Margaret, run thee to the parlour;
     There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice
     Proposing with the prince and Claudio

5. (obsolete) To set forth.
   • , Homer, “Book XI”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., The Iliads of Homer Prince of Poets. , London: Nathaniell Butter, →OCLC; The Iliads of Homer, Prince of Poets, , new edition, volume I, London: Charles Knight and Co., , 1843, →OCLC:

     […] so weighty was the cup,
     That being propos'd brimful of wine, one scarce could lift it up.

     The spelling has been modernized.

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

Related terms

• proponent
• proposition

Translations

Noun

propose (plural proposes)

1. (obsolete) An objective or aim.
   • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 17, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes , book II, London: Val Simmes for Edward Blount , →OCLC:

     whose aime hath beene to make us not good and wittie, but wise and learned; She hath attained her propose.

Anagrams

• opposer, poopers

French

Pronunciation

• Audio

  (file)

Verb

propose

1. inflection of proposer:
   1. first/third-person singular present indicative/subjunctive
   2. second-person singular imperative

Anagrams

• opposer

Italian

Verb

propose

1. third-person past historic of proporre

Anagrams

• propeso