propose

/pɹəˈpəʊz/

//pɹəˈpəʊz// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"propose" is a 7-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“propose” is a regularly-used English word, ranked #7,269 in English word frequency and used as a verb.

#7,269
frequency rank, English
7
letters
10
tracked misspellings
10
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To suggest a plan, course of action, etc.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

propose vs props
71% similar
propose vs prose
71% similar
propose vs purpose
71% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for propose
PropertyValue
Headwordpropose
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/pɹəˈpəʊz/
Letters7
Frequency rank#7,269
Misspellings tracked10
Confusable pairs10
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “propose” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). propose lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for propose is 7 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /pɹəˈpəʊz/. Corpus data places it at rank #7,269 in overall English word frequency, indicating it appears regularly in written and spoken text. Wiktionary records 5 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 10 likely wrong-spelling variants for propose, with forms such as "porpose", "ppropose", and "proopse". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. It also participates in 10 confusable-pair relationships, "props", "prose", "purpose", and more, since the words sound or look close enough that writers reach for the wrong one mid-sentence.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English proposen, from Anglo-Norman proposer (verb), propos (noun), Middle French proposer (verb), propos (noun), from Latin prōpōnō, prōpōnere, with conjugation altered based on poser. Doublet of propound. The correct English form is propose, spelled P-R-O-P-O-S-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    To suggest a plan, course of action, etc.
  2. 2
    To ask for a person's hand in marriage.
  3. 3
    To intend.
  4. 4
    To talk; to converse.
  5. 5
    To set forth.

Etymology

From Middle English proposen, from Anglo-Norman proposer (verb), propos (noun), Middle French proposer (verb), propos (noun), from Latin prōpōnō, prōpōnere, with conjugation altered based on poser. Doublet of propound.

This word in other languages

proponer(Español)proposer(Français)vorschlagen(Deutsch)pretender(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: porpose,ppropose,proopse,propoes,proposse,proppose,propsoe,prpoose,prropose,rpopose

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of propose - counted as single-character edits (an insertion, a deletion, or a substituted letter). The larger the bar, the easier the typo is to spot; one-edit slips are the ones that sneak past readers.

porpose2ppropose1proopse2propoes2proposse1proppose1propsoe2prpoose2
Edit distance from "propose"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "propose"?
"propose" is spelled P-R-O-P-O-S-E. The IPA pronunciation is /pɹəˈpəʊz/.
What does "propose" mean?
As a verb, "propose" means: To suggest a plan, course of action, etc.
What words are commonly confused with "propose"?
"propose" is commonly confused with "props", "prose", "purpose". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "propose"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "propose" is /pɹəˈpəʊz/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "propose"?
From Middle English proposen, from Anglo-Norman proposer (verb), propos (noun), Middle French proposer (verb), propos (noun), from Latin prōpōnō, prōpōnere, with conjugation altered based on poser. Doublet of propound. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “propose”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is P-R-O-P-O-S-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /pɹəˈpəʊz/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “props” - see the side-by-side comparison. propose vs props
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list