Word
supposition
Phoneticssup·po·si·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌsəpəˈzɪʃən/
UK/sˌʌpəzˈɪʃən/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. an idea you accept as true without full proof, often as a starting point for thinking. You use it when you make a careful guess based on what you know.
n. a belief or hypothesis accepted as true without conclusive proof, often as a basis for further reasoning. Frequently contrasted with established fact.
Examples
“His supposition about the delay proves wrong.”
“The detective works from the supposition that the window was left open on purpose.”
“Her entire argument rests on the supposition that markets behave rationally, a premise the recent crisis has called into question.”
Examples
simple
“His supposition about the delay proves wrong.”
contextual
“The detective works from the supposition that the window was left open on purpose.”
complex
“Her entire argument rests on the supposition that markets behave rationally, a premise the recent crisis has called into question.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “supposition” in context.
Verb
01. act on supposition
“Never act on supposition alone when making medical decisions.”
verb + prep + noun
02. confirm supposition
“The autopsy confirmed the supposition that the death was accidental.”
verb + noun
03. make supposition
“We cannot make a supposition about the outcome without more data.”
verb + noun
04. proceed on supposition
“They proceeded on the supposition that funding would continue.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
05. false supposition
“The plan failed because it rested on a false supposition about demand.”
adj + noun
06. mere supposition
“His argument was dismissed as mere supposition without supporting data.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. basis for supposition
“There is little basis for the supposition that the market will recover.”
noun + prep + noun
08. grounds for supposition
“What grounds are there for your supposition that he resigned?”
noun + prep + noun
09. based on pure supposition
“His conclusion was based on pure supposition rather than solid data.”
10. challenge the underlying supposition
“The study challenges the underlying supposition that growth is endless.”
11. confirm the initial supposition
“Further tests confirmed the initial supposition about the cause.”
12. mere supposition without proof
“Without data, the theory remains mere supposition without proof.”
Usage
Often appears in the phrases 'on the supposition that' and 'based on the supposition that'.
Etymology
From Middle English supposicioun, from Anglo-Norman supposicion, from Latin suppositiō, suppositiōnem (“supposition”), from sub- (“under”) + positiō, positiōnem (“position; theme”), from positus (“position”), from the perfect passive participle of pōnō, pōnere (“put, place”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/supposition