supposedly
UK: səˈpəʊzɪdli | US: səˈpoʊzɪdli
adv. according to what is generally assumed or believed (often implying doubt)
adv. as claimed or stated by others without verification
The word "supposedly" originates from the verb "suppose," which comes from Old French supposer (to assume), itself derived from Latin supponere ("to place under," later evolving to "to assume hypothetically"). The suffix "-ed" marks the past participle, and "-ly" converts it into an adverb. Over time, "supposedly" developed a nuanced meaning, often signaling skepticism about the truth of a claim.
He is supposedly an expert, but his advice seems unreliable.
The document was supposedly signed by the CEO, but no one could verify it.
She supposedly left the company last month, yet her name still appears in records.
The package was supposedly delivered yesterday, but I never received it.
They supposedly finished the project ahead of schedule, but the results suggest otherwise.