Propose Meaning
/pɹəˈpəʊz/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo suggest a plan, course of action, etc.
verbTo ask for a person's hand in marriage.
Sentence Examples
I don't want to propose to you!
Is there no alternative to what you propose?
The committee will propose a new set of rules tomorrow.
CEFR Practice Quiz
At the meeting, she will ____ a new system for organizing files.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She stood up at the meeting to ____ a new approach to handling customer complaints.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English proposen, from Anglo-Norman proposer (verb), propos (noun), Middle French proposer (verb), propos (noun), from Latin prōpōnō, prōpōnere, with conjugation altered based on poser. Doublet of propound.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"“The Budget proposes eliminating Supporting Effective Instruction (SEI) State Grants (Title II State grants), a program that provides formula funds to States to improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other schools leaders. SEI grants are poorly targeted and funds are spread too thinly to have a meaningful impact on student outcomes."
— 2017 May 23, Gregory Krieg and Will Mullery, “Trump’s budget by the numbers: What gets cut and why”, in CNN:
"After the death of his [Verney's] first wife, he proposed to Florence Nightingale but she refused him. Later he married her sister, and for many years Claydon was Miss Nightingale's second home."
— 1960 March 26, N. Caplan, “The Railway Member of Parliament”, in Railway Magazine, page 208:
"I propose to relate, in several volumes, the history of the people of New England."
— 1859, John Gorham Palfrey, History of New England, Preface (Google preview):
"Many of the proposed dams would be among the tallest in the world."
— 2013 August 16, John Vidal, “Dams endanger ecology of Himalayas”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 10, page 8:
"HERO. Good Margaret, run thee to the parlour;
There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice
Proposing with the prince and Claudio"
— 1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
At the meeting, she will ____ a new system for organizing files.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She stood up at the meeting to ____ a new approach to handling customer complaints.