supposedly

/sə'pouzidli/

Friendly

Explanation of "Supposedly"

Definition:
The word "supposedly" is an adverb that means something is believed or thought to be true, but it might not actually be the case. It is often used when we talk about what people think or say, rather than what is definitely true.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "supposedly" when you want to express doubt or uncertainty about something that is commonly accepted or believed.
• It can be used in both spoken and written English.

Examples:

1. Common Usage:
   "He is supposedly the best player on the team."
   (This means that people believe he is the best, but it may not be true.)

2. Expressing Doubt:
   "The movie is supposedly scary, but I didn’t find it frightening at all."
   (Here, you are saying that others think the movie is scary, but you disagree.)

Advanced Usage:

• "Supposedly" can be used in a more formal context as well, such as in academic writing or debates, to discuss assumptions or theories that are widely accepted but not yet proven.

Word Variants:

• Suppose (verb): To think or believe something is true, often without proof. Example: "I suppose he will come to the party."
• Supposition (noun): An idea or theory that is believed to be true without proof. Example: "His arguments were based on a supposition that was later proven wrong."

Different Meanings:

• "Supposedly" is primarily used to express belief or reputation. There are no major alternative meanings, but the context can change the emphasis on doubt.

Synonyms:

• Allegedly
• Presumably
• Reportedly
• Believed to be

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• While "supposedly" does not have specific idioms or phrasal verbs, you might encounter phrases like "supposed to" which indicates an expectation. Example: "You are supposed to finish your homework by Friday."

Summary:

In summary, "supposedly" is a useful word to express what people think is true but may not be.

Academic

Adverb

1. believed or reputed to be the case

Synonyms

• purportedly