be supposed

be supposed

1 a : to be expected to do something

They are supposed to arrive tomorrow.

She was supposed to be here an hour ago.

The movie was supposed to earn a lot of money at the box office, but it didn't.

1 b : to be intended or expected to be (something)

The party was supposed to be a surprise.

1 c — used to show that you are angry or offended by something;

— followed by to + verb

Was that supposed to be funny? I thought it was quite rude.

“Well, you've done it again.” “What's that supposed to mean?” [=what do you mean by that comment?]

2 a — used to say what someone should do;

— followed by to + verb

You are supposed to listen to your parents.

I'm supposed to clean my room before I go outside.

What are we supposed to do [=what should/can we do] in a situation like this?

Do what you're supposed to.

2 b — used to say what someone is allowed to do;

— followed by to + verb

We were not supposed to leave the room.

Are you supposed to be here after the building has closed?

3 — used to indicate what people say about someone or something;

— followed by to + verb

She is supposed to be the best doctor in town. [=people say that she's the best doctor in town]

That breed of dog is supposed to be good with kids.

The word is supposed to be derived from Latin.

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Main Entry: ↑suppose