Wouldbe

Would-be is a term used as both an adjective and a noun to describe a person who aspires to a certain role or status but has not yet achieved it, or something that exists only in potential form. It is commonly used before a noun, as in would-be author or would-be politician, and can also function as a noun phrase, as in the would-be, with or without an accompanying specification.

Etymology and form: would-be comes from the combination of would and be, formed to express potentiality or aspirational status. It is typically hyphenated when used as a compound adjective before a noun (a would-be entrepreneur, would-be reformer). In modern prose, the hyphenated form is standard, though some uses drop the hyphen in informal writing or certain style guides.

Usage and tone: would-be is generally neutral to mildly evaluative, conveying that someone is aiming for a particular role but has not yet attained it. In many contexts, it is simply descriptive, as in a would-be author who is still early in their career. In more critical or satirical contexts, it can take on a diminutive or pejorative tone, similar to wannabe.

Variants and related terms: comparable terms include aspiring, hopeful, and wannabe. Would-be tends to be more formal and widely accepted in edited prose, whereas wannabe is more casual and may carry a stronger informal or mocking nuance. The choice between them depends on register and the speaker’s or writer’s intent.