propose
Other forms: proposed; proposing; proposes
The verb propose means "to suggest a plan," like the most well-known thing to propose: marriage. If you propose to your girlfriend, you propose getting married, and you probably give her a ring, too.
The word propose comes from the Old French root words pro, meaning "forth" and poser, meaning "put, place." Using propose to refer to an offer of marriage was first recorded in the 1700s but the verb also has other meanings. It can mean to present for consideration or criticism, like proposing a four-day school week or "to nominate someone for an elected office or official post."
Definitions of propose
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present for consideration, examination, criticism, etc.
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put forward; nominate for appointment to an office or for an honor or position
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propose or intend
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make a proposal, declare a plan for something“the senator proposed to abolish the sales tax”
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types:
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advocate, recommend, urge
push for something
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advance, throw out
bring forward for consideration or acceptance
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proposition
suggest sex to
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feed back
respond to a query or outcome
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posit, put forward, state, submit
put before
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make a motion, move
propose formally; in a debate or parliamentary meeting
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type of:
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declare
state emphatically and authoritatively
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ask (someone) to marry you“she proposed marriage to the man she had known for only two months”
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synonyms:
declare oneself, offer, pop the question
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type of:
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request
ask (a person) to do something
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request
Pronunciation
US
/prəˈpoʊz/
UK
/prəˈpəʊz/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘propose'.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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