posit
/ˈpɒz.ɪt/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To suggest or state something as true, often without strong proof. It is common in academic or formal writing.
- Researchers posit a link between sleep and memory.
- He posited that the results were biased.
Adinary Nuance
Posit is more formal and careful than say or claim. Writers use it when they are presenting an idea, theory, or assumption for discussion, not when they are sure it is fact. It is close to propose or suppose, but it sounds more academic.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đặt ra
- Spanish
- plantear
- Chinese
- 假定
- Japanese
- 仮定する
- Korean
- 가정하다
Etymology
From Latin positus, past participle of ponere, meaning “to place.” English began using it in the 19th century in formal writing.
Common phrases
posit a theoryposit a linkposit that
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is posit formal or informal?
- It is formal and common in academic writing, research, and arguments.
- What is the difference between posit and suggest?
- Posit is more formal and often sounds more analytical. Suggest is broader and more everyday.
- Can I use posit in speaking?
- Yes, but it may sound serious or academic in casual conversation.