[ pruh-poh-nuhnt ]
/ prəˈpoʊ nənt /


a person who puts forward a proposition or proposal.
a person who argues in favor of something; an advocate.
a personwho supports a cause or doctrine; adherent.
a person who propounds a legal instrument, such as a will for probate.

Nearby words

  1. propjet engine,
  2. proplastid,
  3. propman,
  4. propolis,
  5. propone,
  6. propontis,
  7. proport,
  8. proportion,
  9. proportionable,
  10. proportional

Origin of proponent

First recorded in 1580–90, proponent is from the Latin word prōpōnent- (stem of prōpōnēns). See propone, -ent

Can be confusedantagonist proponent protagonist Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for proponent

British Dictionary definitions for proponent


/ (prəˈpəʊnənt) /


a person who argues in favour of something
law a person who seeks probate of a will

Word Origin for proponent

C16: from Latin prōpōnere to propose


Word Origin and History for proponent



1580s, "one who brings forth a proposition or argument," from Latin proponentem (nominative proponens), present participle of proponere "put forward" (see propound). In part also a native formation from propone. As an adjective from 1680s.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper