would-be: Meaning and Definition of

would-be

Pronunciation: (wood'bē"), [key]
— adj.
  1. wishing or pretending to be: a would-be wit.
  2. intended to be: a would-be kindness.
—n.
  1. a person who wishes or pretends to be something: Opera singers and would-bes should practice at least four hours a day.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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