postulate

/ˈpɑs.tʃə.leɪt/ Formal

Say it: POS-chuh-layt

1. verb To suggest or assume the existence or truth of something as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief.
The physicist had to postulate the existence of a new particle to explain the unexpected results.
2. noun A thing suggested or assumed as true, especially as a basis for reasoning or argument.
One of the basic postulates of the theory is that all matter has wave-like properties.

📖 Seen in the wild

Scientists postulate the existence of dark matter to explain certain gravitational anomalies.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ postulate in a sentence

In his paper, he postulates that early humans had a more complex social structure than previously believed.
Let's postulate for a moment that you win the lottery; what's the first thing you would do?
The entire legal argument rested on the postulate that the defendant was of sound mind.
Many ancient philosophers postulated that the world was composed of four basic elements: earth, air, fire, and water.
The report is built on the postulate that increased funding will directly lead to better outcomes.
It is often postulated that a society's art reflects its deepest values.
To understand the geometry, you must first accept its five postulates without proof.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

posit assume hypothesize presuppose theorize propose suggest surmise

posit · a very close synonym, often used interchangeably in formal contexts.

assume · more general and can imply taking something for granted with less evidence.

hypothesize · more specific to science, suggesting a proposition that can be tested.

presuppose · implies that something must be true for the rest of the argument to even make sense.

Opposites: prove, verify, demonstrate, disprove, refute

🌱 Where it comes from

The word comes from Latin 'postulatum', which means 'a thing demanded'. This is from the verb 'postulare', meaning 'to ask' or 'to demand'. The modern meaning retains this idea of demanding that something be accepted as true, at least for the sake of argument, without needing immediate proof.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

postulate the existence ofpostulate a theorya fundamental postulateit is postulated thatbased on the postulate that

Postulate is a strong, formal word used when you need to establish a foundational point for an argument. It's heavier than 'suggest' or 'propose'. Be aware of the two pronunciations: the verb ends with a long 'a' sound (layt), while the less common noun form often ends with a short 'u' sound (lut).

Word family: postulation, postulational

💬 Quick answers

What does 'postulate' mean in simple terms?

It means to put forward an idea as a starting point for an argument, assuming it's true without immediate proof. It's like saying, 'Let's just agree this is true so we can continue the discussion.'

What is the difference between postulate and hypothesize?

To postulate is to assume a fundamental principle to build an argument on, which may not be testable. To hypothesize is to propose a specific, testable explanation for a phenomenon, usually in a scientific context.

Is 'postulate' a formal word?

Yes, 'postulate' is a formal word. It is most often used in academic, scientific, and philosophical writing and discussions.

How do you pronounce 'postulate'?

The verb is pronounced POS-chuh-layt. The noun, which is less common, is often pronounced POS-chuh-lut.

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