would-be

[ˈwʊd.bi]

adjective

aspirante a; pretenso

1. Describing someone who aspires to be something or pretends to be something they are not

The would-be actor worked as a waiter while auditioning for roles.

O aspirante a ator trabalhava como garçom enquanto fazia audições.

2. Describing something intended or attempted but not yet achieved or successful

The would-be thieves were caught before they could steal anything.

Os pretensos ladrões foram capturados antes de conseguirem roubar algo.

NYC Slang

wannabe

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

aspirante a; pretenso

Most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese

Portugal

pretenso; que aspira a ser

More formal usage preferred in European Portuguese

would-be artist

would-be criminal

would-be writer

would-be politician

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