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Definition of supposedly

supposedly

/səˈpoʊ.zɪd.li/
sup · pos · ed · ly
Adjective:supposed
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supposedly Lexical Profile

supposedly Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

According to what is generally assumed, reported, or believed to be true, often implying a degree of doubt or skepticism on the part of the speaker.

Example

"The ancient manuscript was supposedly discovered in a hidden monastery library, though historians have yet to verify its provenance."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Often mispronounced and misspelled in casual speech as 'supposably'; however, 'supposedly' means 'according to what is generally assumed,' whereas 'supposably' strictly means 'capable of being conceived or imagined.'

• Rhymes for supposedly

• Nearby Words

supposably
suppose
supposed
supposedly
supposing
supposition
suppository

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the early 17th century from the participial adjective 'supposed' plus the adverbial suffix '-ly', ultimately tracing back via Old French 'suposer' to Latin 'supponere' (to place under or substitute).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Supposedly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/supposedly
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