Putative – assumed to be, or generally accepted
(pronounced pyoo-ta-tiv)
If something is described as putative, it is generally accepted or assumed to be as stated – but, in reality, may not be.
To remember the definition of the word putative, use the following mnemonic:
Ladies in the pew were talkative (putative) and very loud – we assumed they were hard of hearing.
Examples of putative in a sentence
Although there had been no DNA test, everyone accepted David as the girl’s putative father.
With Trigger Happy Harry in jail, everyone viewed Nick the Knife as the putative head of the gang.
Because he was so knowledgeable, Tony became the putative authority when it came to decision-making.
