WORD OF THE DAY: PUTATIVE
adjective | PYOO-tuh-tiv
What It Means
Putative is a formal word used to describe something that is generally believed, supposed, or assumed to be something specified. It is always used before a noun.
// The group’s putative leader was conspicuously absent from the meeting.
Putative in Context
“… the painting is swept up in questions of identity, provenance, authenticity and putative value.” — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Did You Know?
There’s no need to make assumptions about the root behind putative—we know it comes from a form of the Latin verb putare, which means “to consider” or “to think.” Putative is a rather formal word that has been part of English since the 15th century. Like apparent, presumed, and ostensible, it leaves room for a smidgen of doubt: a putative ally will very probably be there for you, and a putative successor is very likely to be the next one in charge, but life offers no guarantees in either case.
Merriam Webster Dictionary
