Pronunciation: [pjˈuːtətˌɪv] (IPA) 
The word "putative" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /ˈpjuːtətɪv/. The first syllable "pu-" is pronounced with a long "u" sound, while the second syllable "-ta-" has a short "a" sound. The third syllable "-tive" is pronounced with a long "i" sound and ends with the "v" sound. The word is commonly used to describe something that is widely believed or assumed to be true, but may not have been proven or verified.
Putative is an adjective that describes something as commonly accepted or believed to be true, but not necessarily proven or final. It refers to a belief or assumption that is widely considered likely or thought to be the case, although there may be room for doubt or uncertainty. The term carries the connotation of being commonly regarded or reputed, but not necessarily definitively established.
This word is commonly used in legal or scientific contexts, where it is applied to theories, claims, or assumptions that are widely accepted among experts, despite lacking conclusive evidence. For example, a putative father refers to a man who is believed to be the biological father of a child, but has not been legally determined as such. In scientific research, a putative gene or protein is a hypothetical or inferred element that is thought to exist based on evidence or preliminary findings, but requires further investigation for confirmation.
In summary, putative indicates a widespread belief or assumption about something, often lacking conclusive evidence, but regarded as plausible. It suggests a general acceptance or recognition, although it leaves room for skepticism or further examination.
Supposed; reputed.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "putative" originates from the Latin term "putativus", which is the past participle of the verb "putare". "Putare" means "to think, consider, or reckon". Therefore, "putative" originally referred to something that is thought or considered to be true or real, although it may not necessarily be proven or confirmed. The term entered the English language in the late 16th century.
