would-be

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Related to would-be: ladened, quarrelsome, overzealous, a couple of

would-be

(wo͝od′bē′)

adj.

Desiring, attempting, or professing to be: "Would-be home buyers will have a somewhat easier time getting loans" (Wall Street Journal).

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

would-be

adj (prenominal)

1. usually derogatory wanting or professing to be: a would-be politician.

2. intended to be: would-be generosity.

3. derogatory a person who wants or professes to be something that he is not

4. Indian the person to whom one is engaged to be married; fiancé or fiancée

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

would′-be`

adj.

1. wishing or pretending to be: a would-be wit.

2. intended to be: a would-be kindness.

[1250–1300]

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Adj.

would-be - unfulfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition

manque

ambitious - having a strong desire for success or achievement

would-be

adjective budding, potential, so-called, professed, dormant, self-styled, latent, wannabe (informal), unfulfilled, undeveloped, self-appointed, unrealized, manqué, soi-disant (French), quasi- a book that provides encouragement for would-be writers

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

Translations

would-be

[ˈwʊdbiː] ADJ a would-be poet/politician → un aspirante a poeta/político

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

would-be

adj attr would-be poet/politician → jemand, der gerne (ein) Dichter/(ein) Politiker würde; (pej) → Möchtegerndichter(in) m(f) → /-politiker(in) m(f)

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

would-be

[ˈwʊdˌbiː] adj a would-be poet/politician → un aspirante poeta/politico

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

would

(wud) – short forms I'd (aid) you'd (juːd) , he'd (hiːd) , she'd (ʃiːd) , it'd (ˈitəd) , we'd (wiːd) , they'd (ðeid) : negative short form wouldn't (ˈwudnt) – verb

1. past tense of will. He said he would be leaving at nine o'clock the next morning; I asked if he'd come and mend my television set; I asked him to do it, but he wouldn't; I thought you would have finished by now.

2. used in speaking of something that will, may or might happen (eg if a certain condition is met). If I asked her to the party, would she come?; I would have come to the party if you'd asked me; I'd be happy to help you.

3. used to express a preference, opinion etc politely. I would do it this way; It'd be a shame to lose the opportunity; I'd prefer to go tomorrow rather than today.

4. used, said with emphasis, to express annoyance. I've lost my car-keys – that would happen!

ˈwould-be adjective

trying, hoping, or merely pretending, to be. a would-be poet.

would you

used to introduce a polite request to someone to do something. (Please) would you close the door?

References in periodicals archive ?

Who wants to see your holiday snaps while you are away, only a would-be burglar, I expect, when he realises that you are on holiday and your house is empty!

I would like social media abolished; Get in touch - tell us what you think Email: letters@birminghammail.co.uk Twitter: @birminghammail Facebook: facebook.com/birminghammail Post: Birmingham Mail, 60 Church Street, Birmingham B3 2DJ

Since launching its Lendwithcare programme providing a total of 110 loans to would-be entrepreneurs and other overseas workers, Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club has not yet had a single default.

Helping create jobs in foreign countries; STAR BRIEFING

'Therefore, to serve as a warning to other would-be offenders, Fatai is sentenced to three years in prison.

Man Bags 3 Years Imprisonment For Drug Trafficking

However, on being informed, the police foiled the marriage and took into custody both under age would-be groom and would-be bride, their parents and the nikah khawan.

Underage marriage foiled

But the Northern Ireland international, 22, has warned his would-be rival that he's in no mood to be ousted.

I'M JUST GLOVING IT AS LEEDS No.1; IN ASSOCIATION WITH

In the trailer, Pine plays Jay Singletary, a would-be reporter looking into the mystery of Fauna Hodel (played by Eisley), a woman who was given away at birth and grew up outside Reno in Nevada.

Patty Jenkins releases mini-series trailer featuring Chris Pine

Each day produces more problems for her Tory Brexiteer would-be rebels.

SUNDAY POLITICS Chris Moncrieff has the Westminster latest... Chris Moncrieff has the Westminster latest..

All 29 Labour AMs were involved in the nominating process, with would-be contenders needing nominations from five colleagues apart from themselves.

Three to stand for Labour leader contest

Details on how to benefit from the programme are available at the SCW general secretariat and the BIPD where the experts will provide the would-be candidates with relevant advice pertaining to legal, political, media aspects as well as the election process, in order to support would-be candidate women which will boost their competitiveness to delve into political action and effectively participate in public life.

SCW supports woman candidacy

"No big beasts - only minnows - braying and snorting in the Westminster jungle" Sir Bernard Ingham's description of would-be rebellious anti-Brexit Tory MPs critical of Theresa May.

QUOTES OF THE DAY

It is not going to win the Bad Sex in Fiction award Sir Vince Cable, would-be Liberal Democrat leader, on his new book, Open Arms Failing to win a majority last month was not clever, but pushing the weakened Government over the brink would be unforgivable madness on the part of any Conservative Lord (William) Hague, former Tory leader I am calling on backbench Conservative MPs to put aside our party differences so that we can reward our public sector workers for their hard work Shadow Chancellor John

They say..

I suspect that, despite the lip service now being paid to apprenticeships, they are generally seen as lacking academic rigour and suited to would-be hairdressers and car mechanics.