How to pronounce suppose
Say it like suh-POHZ. Suppose has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (POHZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce suppose. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- suh
- POHZ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Suppose pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- POHZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of suppose
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: suh-POHZ.
What does suppose mean?
- express a supposition“Let us say that he did not tell the truth”“Let's say you had a lot of money--what would you do?”
- expect, believe, or suppose“I imagine she earned a lot of money with her new novel”“I thought to find her in a bad state”
- to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds“Scientists supposed that large dinosaurs lived in swamps”
Where does suppose come from?
From Middle English supposen, borrowed from Old French supposer, equivalent to prefix sub- (“under”) + poser (“to place”); corresponding in meaning to Latin supponere (“to put under, to substitute, falsify, counterfeit”), suppositum.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with suppose
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of suppose.
Questions about saying suppose
How do you pronounce suppose?
Say suh-POHZ. The American pronunciation is /səˈpoʊz/. In British English it is /səˈpəʊz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in suppose?
Suppose has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (POHZ). Broken into parts: suh · POHZ.
Is suppose pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /səˈpəʊz/ (suh-POHZ).