would-be
Collocations
4ADJ.
firm, junior, turned
VERB + WOULD-BE
trading, warning
WOULD-BE + NOUN
attackers, attorney, carnegie, marines, rescuer, revelers, thief, trespassers
PREP.
off, upon
Definitions
adj
Attempting or desiring something.
Would-be marines have to get through a rigorous examination.
As Tarzan’s heavy hand fell upon his shoulder the priest dropped his victim, and turned upon her would-be rescuer.
Unfulfilled; frustrated in realizing a goal, ambition, etc.
Would-be film stars often become waitresses.
It was not till the rays of the sun had absorbed the young stranger's retreating figure on the hill that she shook off her temporary sadness and answered her would-be partner in the affirmative.
noun
One who aspires to something.
The would-bes are very sure that the managers have it in for them; just as most young writers regard publishers as being in conspiracy against budding genius.
One's fiancé or fiancée.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
6Would-be marines have to get through a rigorous examination.
WiktionaryAs Tarzan’s heavy hand fell upon his shoulder the priest dropped his victim, and turned upon her would-be rescuer.
WiktionaryPilton Yard, the Lynton & Barnstaple headquarters, has been taken over by a fur trading firm, and would-be trespassers to the old engine-shed are turned back by the pungent odour of heaps of carcases.
WiktionaryThe would-bes are very sure that the managers have it in for them; just as most young writers regard publishers as being in conspiracy against budding genius.
WiktionaryA would-be thief got a big surprise when a group of women chanting "Jesus" scared the intruder away from their commune.
Tatoeba · #2830149The would-be junior at Carnegie Mellon says that she’s always been “five years ahead” in knowing what she wanted to do.
Tatoeba · #8958913