postulate
/ˈpɒs.tʃuː.leɪt/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To suggest or assume that something is true, especially as a basis for an argument or theory. It often appears in academic or formal writing.
- The study postulates a link between stress and sleep.
- We can postulate several reasons for the drop in sales.
- The theory postulates that language shapes thought.
noun
A statement or idea that is assumed to be true and used as a starting point for reasoning. In math and logic, it can mean a basic accepted principle.
- One postulate of the model is simple human behaviour.
- The argument rests on a false postulate.
- He challenged the postulate behind the theory.
Adinary Nuance
Postulate is more formal than guess or think. It is close to assume, but postulate sounds more academic and is often used when building a theory or argument. Writers choose it when they want to show a careful starting point, not a casual opinion.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đặt ra
- Spanish
- postular
- Chinese
- 假设
- Japanese
- 仮定する
- Korean
- 가정하다
Etymology
Postulate comes from Latin postulare, meaning “demand” or “request.” It entered English through late Latin and French, and it has long been used in formal and academic writing.
Common phrases
postulate a theorypostulate thatone postulate of
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is postulate formal or informal?
- It is formal. You will often see it in academic, scientific, or legal writing.
- What is the difference between postulate and assume?
- Assume is more general and more common. Postulate is more formal and often introduces a theory or argument.
- Can I use postulate in everyday speech?
- You can, but it may sound stiff. In conversation, people usually say assume, think, or suppose.
- Is postulate a noun or a verb?
- It can be both. As a verb, it means to suggest something as true; as a noun, it means a basic assumed idea.