would-be

1. not comparableAttempting or desiring something.

   Would-be marines have to get through a rigorous examination.

   3 more examples

   As Tarzan’s heavy hand fell upon his shoulder the priest dropped his victim, and turned upon her would-be rescuer.

   1913, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Return of Tarzan, New York: Ballantine Books, published 1963, page 171

   Pilton Yard, the Lynton & Barnstaple headquarters, has been taken over by a fur trading firm, and would-be trespassers to the old engine-shed are turned back by the pungent odour of heaps of carcases.

   1951 February, “Notes and News: Lynton & Barnstaple Remains”, in Railway Magazine, page 136

   Sorokin, a would-be art collector, planned to open a members-only arts club but became known as the “Soho grifter” after her deception upon New York’s glitzy social scene came to light.

   2019 May 9, Edward Helmore, “Anna Sorokin: fake German heiress sentenced to up to 12 years in prison”, in The Guardian

2. not comparableUnfulfilled; frustrated in realizing a goal, ambition, etc.

   Would-be film stars often become waitresses.

   3 more examples

   It was not till the rays of the sun had absorbed the young stranger's retreating figure on the hill that she shook off her temporary sadness and answered her would-be partner in the affirmative.

   1891, Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d’Urbervilles: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented […], volume I, London: James R[ipley] Osgood, McIlvaine and Co., […], →OCLC, phase the first (The Maiden), page 27

   [T]he envy of all the would-be beautiful of the Nor empire.

   1945 Sept, Richard S. Shaver, Science Fiction Adventure Classics, published 1972, page 26, column 1

   The Secret Service had already been barraged with questions over why it had excluded from its security zone the warehouse — about 450 feet from the former president — from which the would-be assassin had fired at Mr. Trump on July 13.

   2024 July 21, Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Maggie Haberman, “Secret Service Says It Denied Earlier Trump Requests for More Federal Resources”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

plural would-bes

1. One who aspires to something.

   The would-bes are very sure that the managers have it in for them; just as most young writers regard publishers as being in conspiracy against budding genius.

   1912, Elbert Hubbard, Hollyhocks and Goldenglow

   Synonyms: wannabe

2. IndiaOne's fiancé or fiancée.