propose

Borrowed from Anglo-Norman proposer (verb), propos (noun), Middle French proposer (verb), propos (noun), from Latin propono, proponere, with conjugation altered based on poser.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /pɹəˈpəʊz/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /pɹəˈpoʊz/

• Audio (US)

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• Rhymes: -əʊz

propose (third-person singular simple present proposes, present participle proposing, simple past and past participle proposed)

1. (transitive) To suggest a plan, course of action, etc.

   I propose going to see a film.

   to propose an alliance; to propose a question for discussion

   • 2019, VOA Learning English (public domain)

     President Moon Jae-in proposed the plan this week during a meeting with government officials, his spokesman said.

     Audio (US)

     (file)

2. (intransitive, sometimes followed by to) To ask for a person's hand in marriage.

   He proposed to her last night and she accepted him.

3. (transitive) To intend.

   He proposes to set up his own business.

   • 1859, John Gorham Palfrey, History of New England, Preface (Google preview):

     I propose to relate, in several volumes, the history of the people of New England.

   • 2013 August 16, John Vidal, “Dams endanger ecology of Himalayas”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 10, page 8:

     Many of the proposed dams would be among the tallest in the world.

4. (obsolete) To talk; to converse.
   • 1599, William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing, Act 3 Scene 1:

     HERO. Good Margaret, run thee to the parlour;

     There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice

     Proposing with the prince and Claudio

5. (obsolete) To set forth.
   • 1616, George Chapman (translator), Homer's Iliad, book 11:

     . . . so weighty was the cup,

     That being propos'd brimful of wine, one scarce could lift it up.

• In use 1. this is sometimes a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing).
• In use 3, this is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive.
• For more information, see Appendix:English catenative verbs
• Compared to to suggest, to propose is more deliberate and definite. To suggest is merely to mention, while to propose is to have a definite plan and intention.

• forthput

• proposal
• proposition
• proponent

propose (plural proposes)

1. (obsolete) An objective or aim.
   • 1603, John Florio, transl.; Michel de Montaigne, chapter 17, in The Essayes, […], book II, printed at London: By Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], OCLC 946730821:

     whose aime hath beene to make us not good and wittie, but wise and learned; She hath attained her propose.

• opposer, poopers

propose

1. first-person singular present indicative of proposer
2. third-person singular present indicative of proposer
3. first-person singular present subjunctive of proposer
4. third-person singular present subjunctive of proposer
5. second-person singular imperative of proposer

• opposer

propose

1. third-person indicative past historic of proporre

• propeso