Standard Lemma guide

would-be

adj · noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈwʊd biː/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • General-American: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Attempting or desiring something.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • Would-be marines have to get through a rigorous examination.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Unfulfilled; frustrated in realizing a goal, ambition, etc.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • Would-be film stars often become waitresses.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

One who aspires to something.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: wannabe

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

One's fiancé or fiancée.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: India

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

15 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Basque: sasi- — attempting or desiring something
  • Bulgarian: претендиращ (pretendirašt) — attempting or desiring something
  • French: pseudo- — attempting or desiring something
  • French: en puissance — attempting or desiring something
  • German: möchtegern — attempting or desiring something
  • German: pseudo- — attempting or desiring something
  • Hungarian: leendő — attempting or desiring something
  • Hungarian: jövendőbeli — attempting or desiring something
  • Polish: aspirujący — attempting or desiring something
  • Russian: мечтающий (mečtajuščij) — attempting or desiring something
  • Russian: претендующий (pretendujuščij) — attempting or desiring something
  • Bulgarian: неуспял (neuspjal) — unfulfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition
  • French: soi-disant — unfulfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition
  • Polish: niedoszły — unfulfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition
  • Russian: несостоявшийся (nesostojavšijsja) — unfulfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition