If you describe someone or something as putative, you mean that they are generally thought to be the thing mentioned.
[law, formal]
...a putative father.
Synonyms: supposed, reported, assumed, alleged More Synonyms of putative
putative in British English
(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 or she is asserting, but has inferred it on the basis of something else
Derived forms
putatively (ˈputatively)
adverb
Word origin
C15: from Late Latin putātīvus supposed, from Latin putāre to consider
putative in American English
(ˈpjutətɪv)
adjective
generally considered or deemed such; reputed
a putative ancestor
Derived forms
putatively (ˈputatively)
adverb
Word origin
ME putative < L putativus < putare, to suppose, reckon (orig., to cleanse, set in order, hence compute, consider: see pure)
Examples of 'putative' in a sentence
putative
It is the value of the property in the example, over eight times earnings of the putative buyer, that is unaffordable.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
(adjective)
Definition
commonly regarded as being
(formal)
the putative father of the child
Synonyms
supposed
What is it his son is supposed to have said?
reported
assumed
alleged
an alleged beating
presumed
reputed
They booked the ballroom for a reputed $15,000 last year.
imputed
presumptive
the heir presumptive
commonly believed
Additional synonyms
in the sense of alleged
Definition
stated but not proved
an alleged beating
Synonyms
claimed,
supposed,
declared,
assumed,
so-called,
apparent,
rumoured,
stated,
described,
asserted,
designated,
presumed,
affirmed,
professed,
reputed,
hypothetical,
putative (formal),
presupposed,
averred,
unproved
in the sense of assumed
Synonyms
taken for granted,
expected,
accepted,
supposed,
presumed,
hypothetical,
surmised,
presupposed
in the sense of presumptive
the heir presumptive
Synonyms
assumed,
believed,
expected,
understood,
supposed,
odds-on,
hypothetical,
inferred
Nearby words of
putative
put your shoulder to the wheel
put, bring or carry into effect
put-down
putative
putrefy
putrescent
putrid
Synonyms of 'putative'
putative
Explore 'putative' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of reputed
Definition
supposed or rumoured
They booked the ballroom for a reputed $15,000 last year.