Attempting or desiring something.
‘It’s quite distressing’: rate rise brings new pain for would-be homebuyers | Interest rates https://www.newsbeep.com/au/652957/ The third Reserve Bank rate hike in a row has delivered a blow not only to mortgaged h…
Remarkably, the Welsh Civil Service opened access talks to would-be parties of government in Wales and Reform UK didn’t take them up on it! Reform isn’t a serious party. Don’t vote for chancers and grifters.
Attempting or desiring something.
Would-be marines have to get through a rigorous examination.
“Would-be UFO whistleblower died of accidental drug overdose after agreeing to testify to Congress April 25, 2026, New York Post”
“THAT TOO but for some reason shipping would-be presidential assassins is so much more bonkers in my mind perhaps because it’s a ship joke so catered to me it shocked my system”
“(Aka her would-be-spouse was murdered at their wedding & she never recovered) 😬”
Add your own interpretation of "would-be".
Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.
Browse all slang words starting with W.
Iran war may have motivated would-be Trump assassin, US intelligence report finds via The Jerusalem Post
“Airport security is high cost theatre that significantly worsens customer experience, raises fares, and sucks the joy out of a journey. Its existence is one of the better arguments for taking a train and any would-be terrorist moving between the states could always just drive.”
“Interestingly, Putin is reportedly hiding in bunker because he's worried about a potential coup. The peasants are also restless, anccor to some news sources. Are we now in the Age of Coups with would-be superpowers and fascist dictatorships.”
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Unfulfilled; frustrated in realizing a goal, ambition, etc.
As Tarzan’s heavy hand fell upon his shoulder the priest dropped his victim, and turned upon her would-be rescuer.
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One who aspires to something.
"would-be" means: One who aspires to something.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.
"would-be" means: One who aspires to something.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.
“‘It’s quite distressing’: rate rise brings new pain for would-be homebuyers | Interest rates https://www.newsbeep.com/au/652957/ The third Reserve Bank rate hike in a row has delivered a blow not only to mortgaged homeowners,…”
“Remarkably, the Welsh Civil Service opened access talks to would-be parties of government in Wales and Reform UK didn’t take them up on it! Reform isn’t a serious party. Don’t vote for chancers and grifters.”
“Iran war may have motivated would-be Trump assassin, US intelligence report finds via The Jerusalem Post”
“📰 Fox News Judge's stunning left-wing record emerges after apology to accused would-be Trump killer ⟶ Fox News | headline in context”
“JFC - all you voters in Maine who think #Platner is not another Fetterman need to listen to this discussion. Platner is a Dem-hating would-be MAGA asshole who wants to "blow it all up." And by "blow it all up" he means the Democratic Party.”
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