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would-be

   Also found in: Legal 0.01 sec.
would-be (wdb)
adj.
Desiring, attempting, or professing to be: "Would-be home buyers will have a somewhat easier time getting loans" (Wall Street Journal).

would-be
adj (prenominal)
1. Usually derogatory wanting or professing to be a would-be politician
2. intended to be would-be generosity
n
Derogatory a person who wants or professes to be something that he is not
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.would-be - unfulfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition
ambitious - having a strong desire for success or achievement

would-be
adjective budding, potential, so-called, professed, dormant, self-styled, latent, wannabe (informal), unfulfilled, undeveloped, self-appointed, unrealized, manqué, soi-disant (French), quasi- a book that provides encouragement for would-be writers
Translations
would-be [ˈwʊdbiː] ADJ a would-be poet/politicianun aspirante a poeta/político
would-be
adj attr would-be poet/politicianjemand, der gerne (ein) Dichter/(ein) Politiker würde; (pej)Möchtegerndichter(in) m(f)/-politiker(in) m(f)
would-be [ˈwʊdˌbiː] adj a would-be poet/politicianun aspirante poeta/politico


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