putative

[ pyoo-tuh-tiv ]

adjective

1. commonly regarded as such; reputed; supposed:

   the putative boss of the mob.

putative

/ ˈpjuːtətɪv /

adjective

1. prenominal commonly regarded as being

   the putative father

2. prenominal considered to exist or have existed; inferred
3. grammar denoting a mood of the verb in some languages used when the speaker does not have direct evidence of what he is asserting, but has inferred it on the basis of something else

Derived Forms

• ˈputatively, adverb

Other Words From

• puta·tive·ly adverb
• un·puta·tive adjective
• un·puta·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of putative¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Late Latin putātīvus “considered, reckoned, reputed,” equivalent to putāt(us) (past participle of putāre “to think, consider, reckon,” originally “to prune (trees), clean (wool)” + -īvus -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of putative¹

C15: from Late Latin putātīvus supposed, from Latin putāre to consider

Example Sentences

The putative end of the Reign of Terror came on July 28, 1794, when Maximilien Robespierre, the most prominent member of the Committee of Public Safety, and his closest colleagues were executed.

From Washington Post

If two condensates interfere in just the right way, the group predicted, experimentalists should be able to capture direct images of bubbles forming in the condensate—ones that act similarly to the putative bubbles of the multiverse.

From Nautilus

If two condensates interfere in just the right way, the group predicted, experimentalists should be able to capture direct images of bubbles forming in the condensate — ones that act similarly to the putative bubbles of the multiverse.

From Quanta Magazine

Virginia’s putative leader at the Constitutional Convention, Washington’s first attorney general and second secretary of state, Edmund Randolph, suffers a fall from grace he probably doesn’t deserve.

From Washington Post

The “putative crisis” resembled a construction of its author.

From The Daily Beast

Milk as a cause of or worsener of autism will have to join the long list of other putative causes.

From The Daily Beast

Ever heard that statistic that 10% of kids are not actually descended from the putative father?

From The Daily Beast

Michael Bloomberg, a putative Republican, noted that the general public thinks the GOP is “meshugenah” over gun control.

From The Daily Beast

Mitt Romney has been the putative nominee for a month now, ever since his Wisconsin win (if not before).

From The Daily Beast

The Commissioners strongly recommended the exemption of the putative father from any legal obligation to reimburse the parish.

From Project Gutenberg

The putative father may be asked to make his payments in such a way as to facilitate the recovery of the loan from the mother.

From Project Gutenberg

Mars, though not so frequently adopted by human females as a lover, had many children of whom he was the putative father.

From Project Gutenberg

"I wish I never had to do any sums that made more than three," is the putative horse's comment.

From Project Gutenberg

She is yearning for the great event; not for a promised land of jerks and spasms for herself, but for her putative offspring.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• presumed
• presumptive
• reputed
• supposed