supposedly
gb/səpˈoʊzɪdli/ us/səpˈoʊzɪdli/
B2
English
~ 5100
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
relation
1
as is claimed, but maybe untrue
Used when you say what other people say is true, but you are not sure or you do not really believe it.
Usage pattern:
supposedly, [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "supposedly" with the phrase "supposed to". "Supposedly" is an adverb that shows doubt about information (e.g., "He was supposedly at home"), while "supposed to" shows duty or expectation (e.g., "He is supposed to be at home" = he should be at home).
Synonyms
allegedly (Very close in meaning; slightly more formal and common in news and legal contexts.)
|
reportedly (Focuses more on the fact that news or reports say it, slightly more neutral and journalistic.)
Antonyms
definitely (Expresses strong certainty that something is true, the opposite of the doubt implied by "supposedly".)
Collocations
was supposedly
|is supposedly
|are supposedly
|supposedly involved
|supposedly true
|supposedly haunted
Themes
communication
|opinions
|media
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He was supposedly out of the country when the crime happened.
- The building is supposedly haunted by a former owner.
- This drug supposedly has no side effects, but I felt sick all day.
- The two companies are supposedly negotiating a merger.
- She is supposedly an expert on the subject, though she made several basic mistakes.
Learner examples
- He was supposedly sick, but he went to a party.
- This restaurant is supposedly very good.
- The movie is supposedly based on a true story.
- They are supposedly friends, but they fight a lot.
- The town is supposedly very safe.
adverb
C1
relation
2
in theory or by expectation
Used when something is true in plan or in theory, but it may not really be true or may not really work in real life.
Usage pattern:
[something] supposedly [does something]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this sense often implies a contrast between theory and reality. They sometimes use "supposedly" where simple factual description is enough (e.g., saying "The sun supposedly rises in the east" sounds like you doubt a basic fact). Use this sense mainly when there is some doubt or gap between plan and practice.
Synonyms
theoretically (Very close meaning; more formal and often used in academic or technical contexts.)
|
in theory (A common phrase; slightly more conversational and explicit about the contrast with practice.)
Antonyms
actually (Shows what really happens or is true in practice, contrasting with what is only true in theory or on paper.)
Collocations
supposedly works
|supposedly makes it easier
|supposedly helps
|supposedly reduces costs
|supposedly improves performance
Themes
thinking
|daily_life
|work
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The new software supposedly works on all devices, but it keeps crashing on my phone.
- This diet supposedly helps you lose weight without exercise, which sounds unrealistic.
- The policy supposedly makes it easier for small businesses to get loans.
- He is supposedly in charge of the project, yet nobody asks him for decisions.
- The car supposedly gets excellent gas mileage, but our tests showed something different.
Learner examples
- The app supposedly works offline, but it does not on my phone.
- This machine supposedly saves time, but it is very slow.
- The new rule supposedly helps students, but many are unhappy.
- The medicine supposedly makes you feel better quickly, but I still feel bad.
- He is supposedly the best doctor in town, but some people do not like him.
Grammar
Dictionary form
supposedly
IPA
GB/səpˈoʊzɪdli/
US/səpˈoʊzɪdli/
Syllables & stress
sup - posedly (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (posedly)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: supposedly
- Plural: supposedlies
Word family
Forms
supposedlies
noun
Core family
suppose
verb B1
supposed
adjective
Advanced or less common
supposition
noun C1
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.