supposedly
advUK /səˈpəʊ̯.zɪd.li/ · US /səˈpoʊ̯.zɪd.li/
Etymology From supposed + -ly.
1
As a matter of supposition; in the beliefs or according to the claims of some people.
- Near-synonyms: supposably, reportedly, reputedly, purportedly, putatively, rumoredly, allegedly, ostensibly, possibly, probably, likely, plausibly
- People from other planets have supposedly visited Earth in flying saucers.
4 more examples
- According to your testimony, you were supposedly at home watching TV when the murder occurred.
- In these early days of silent pictures, the accent was chiefly on thrills and danger as provided by supposedly unstoppable locomotives with crooks or maniacs on the footplate.1958 February 23, David Gunston, “Railways on the Screen”, in Railway Magazine, page 88:
- France were supposedly a team in pieces, beaten by Tonga just a week ago and with coach Marc Lievremont publicly berating his players, but so clear-cut was their victory that much of the atmosphere had been sucked from the contest long before the end.2011 October 8, Tom Fordyce, “Rugby World Cup 2011: England 12-19 France”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 07 Apr 2022:
- I haven't booked, so I don't have a clue as to whether the service will be busy or not. Supposedly, reservations are compulsory, but I want to find out what would happen if you just turn up.2020 December 2, Paul Bigland, “My weirdest and wackiest Rover yet”, in Rail, page 68:
2
Philippines, Informal Used in place of "supposed to be," often in informal or colloquial speech, as a mispronunciation.
- My parents told me I am supposedly in bed by 10 P.M.