posit

UK /ˈpɒzɪt/ US /ˈpɑzɪt/ Syllables: pos-it

Pronunciation

Verb C1 Advanced Formal

To suggest or assume something as a fact or starting point for reasoning.

To posit something is to put it forward as a fact or as a starting point for an argument. A scientist might posit a theory, a philosopher might posit the existence of an idea, and a writer might posit that something is true. The word is formal and common in academic writing. Close words are propose, suggest, assume, postulate, put forward and hypothesize. To posit means to state something as a basis for reasoning, so it does not claim that the idea is proved. As a noun, a posit is something that is posited, an assumption. The verb forms are posits, posited and positing. Do not confuse it with deposit, which shares a Latin root but means something else.

"The theory posits that memory and emotion are closely linked."

Meanings

To suggest or assume something as a fact or starting point for reasoning.
A statement that is posited; an assumption (noun).

Example sentences

"The researchers posit that sleep helps memory."

Level C1, Meaning 1
"She posits a simple theory to explain the pattern."

Level C1, Meaning 1
"Some historians posit that the city was built earlier."

Level C1, Meaning 1
"The author posited a world without money."

Level C2, Meaning 1

Synonyms and antonyms

Synonyms

propose postulate

Look-alikes and common mistakes

postulate : Postulate means to assume something as a basis for reasoning, often in science or logic. It is a close synonym.
propose : Propose means to suggest a plan or an offer. Posit is about stating an idea as a starting point.
assert : Assert means to state something firmly, as if sure it is true. To posit does not claim that it is proven.
deposit : Deposit means to put money or an object somewhere. It shares a Latin root with posit but has a different meaning.

Word family and forms

Forms: posits, posited, positing

position positive deposit

Word partners

Words and phrases that often go with "posit".

posit a theory
posit that
posit an idea
posit the existence of
scholars posit
posit a link
posit a hypothesis

Origin

Posit was borrowed from the Latin word positus, the past participle of ponere, meaning to put or place. English recorded it in the mid 1600s. The same Latin verb gave English the words position, deposit and positive.

Checked against: Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Dictionary.com.

How to remember it

Posit comes from a Latin word meaning put or place. To posit an idea is to place it on the table so that people can examine it.

Test yourself

Which word fits the gap? "The researchers _____ that sleep helps memory."

Answer: posit

In your own words, what does "posit" mean?