futurist
Americannoun
-
(sometimes initial capital letter) a follower of futurism, especially an artist or writer.
-
Theology. a person who maintains that the prophecies in the Apocalypse will be fulfilled in the future.
-
Also futurologist a person whose occupation or specialty is the forecasting of future events, conditions, or developments.
adjective
Etymology
Origin of futurist
From the Italian word futurista, dating back to 1835–45. See future, -ist
Explanation
A futurist is someone who studies and predicts events in the future. A futurist might predict, based on past and current trends, which brands of cars will be most popular in 30 years. There are many different kinds of futurists, from scientists who forecast the future effects of climate change to marketers who try to anticipate what teenagers will be desperate to spend money on in five years. All futurists have in common a focus on the future — and sociologists who are futurists call their field futurology. The earliest definition of futurism referred to the early 20th century art movement known as futurism.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In September, at the IAA auto show in Munich, tastemakers got a first look at the Concept C, representing Audi’s next design language—fresh, futurist, aspirational, optimistic.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 24, 2025
On one hand, a sycophantic companion can simply make intimacy feel less realistic, according to futurist Cathy Hackl.
From Slate • Sep. 25, 2025
“They’ve become more aware of AI’s existence because they’re using it in this very user-friendly form,” said Dana Klisanin, a psychologist and futurist whose latest book is “Future Hack.”
From Washington Times • Dec. 24, 2023
As composer, virtuoso pianist, theorist, highly opinionated futurist and pedagogue, Busoni exerted a little-acknowledged, though crucial, component of the cultural identity of San Francisco and beyond, Los Angeles very much included.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 3, 2023
There can’t be too many sustainable futurist communities in New York State called the Ranch, so I feel like that part should be easy.
From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
