What does posit mean?
Posit is a formal transitive verb meaning to state a proposition, principle, or hypothesis as true, often so that it can be examined, tested, or used as a starting point. Its usual implication is that the statement is being put forward for consideration rather than demonstrated beyond doubt. In scientific and philosophical prose, writers may posit a hypothesis, model, or category; in argument, they may posit that a particular explanation is preferable. The phrase “posit the existence of” is especially common in discussions of abstract entities, although an unsupported assertion can sound categorical if the evidence is not made clear. Posit is more deliberate and intellectually formal than simply “say” or “state,” and it often carries an analytical tone. It can also occur in legal and general expository writing when the goal is to frame a proposition for debate. Because the word is relatively uncommon outside careful, formal prose, using it well gives a sentence a distinctly scholarly character.
verbTo state or assume a fact, principle, proposition, or hypothesis as true, especially as a basis for discussion, argument, or further inquiry.
- To state or assume a proposition, principle, or hypothesis as true, usually so that it can be examined, tested, or used as the basis of an argument or theory.
"The researchers posited a common ancestor to explain the similarities between the two species."
"The philosopher posits that moral truth exists independently of human opinion."
"For the sake of argument, she posited that an alternative explanation was possible."
From the Latin for “placed,” posit describes an idea being placed before the evidence—not born proven by it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does posit come from?
The English verb dates from the early 17th century and comes from Latin positum, the neuter past participle of ponere, meaning “to place or put.” Its sense reflects the idea of a proposition being placed before others for consideration. Related English words such as compose, deposit, expose, and oppose ultimately share the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How posit is actually used
Formal and intellectual, especially common in scientific, philosophical, legal, and academic prose. It frames a claim for consideration without implying that the claim has already been proved.
Easily confused with posit
Posit means to put a proposition forward as true for consideration, whereas postulate often means to lay down an assumed principle as a foundation for a system or argument.