would-be — wanting or trying to be something but not yet successful or recognized as such
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: wanting or trying to be something but not yet successful or recognized as such
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈwʊd bi/
Example Sentences
- The would-be influencer posted 50 selfies but only got 3 likes from his mom.
- Every would-be chef thinks they can master French cuisine after watching one YouTube video.
- The would-be superhero wore his underwear outside his pants to the job interview.
would-be
ADJECTIVE[/ˈwʊd bi/]
wanting or trying to be something but not yet successful or recognized as such
The would-be novelist stares at her blank screen, dreaming of bestseller fame.
A would-be star should believe they could!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The phrase 'would-be' emerged from the combination of the conditional auxiliary verb 'would' and the copula 'be' in English. It developed to express the sense of aspiring to be or pretending to be something, gaining prominence in written English from the 19th century onwards.
Breakdown
would (conditional auxiliary expressing desire or intention) + be (copula meaning 'to exist as') = one who wishes or claims to be; an aspiring or pretended example of something.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The would-be influencer posted 50 selfies but only got 3 likes from his mom.”
“Every would-be chef thinks they can master French cuisine after watching one YouTube video.”
“The would-be superhero wore his underwear outside his pants to the job interview.”
“She dismissed him as just another would-be rock star.”
📚Related Words
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