prospectus
Americannoun
plural
prospectuses-
a document describing the major features of a proposed literary work, project, business venture, etc., in enough detail so that prospective investors, participants, or buyers may evaluate it.
Don't buy the new stock offering until you read the prospectus carefully.
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a brochure or other document describing the major features, attractions, or services of a place, institution, or business to prospective patrons, clients, owners, or members.
noun
-
a formal statement giving details of a forthcoming event, such as the publication of a book or an issue of shares
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a pamphlet or brochure giving details of courses, as at a college or school
Etymology
Origin of prospectus
1770–80; < Latin prōspectus outlook, view, equivalent to prōspec-, stem of prōspicere ( prō- pro- 1 + -spicere, combining form of specere to look) + -tus suffix of v. action
Explanation
A prospectus is a written catalog or brochure that offers a plan, as of school courses to take or stocks to buy. The idea of a prospectus is to offer a variety of options and a plan of action. One goal of a prospectus is to present the positive features of something in order to attract a desired participant. When a new company wants to attract investors or a stock brokerage wants to attract new clients, each offers a prospectus specific to its goals. The word is from the Latin verb specere, "to look," which is combined with the prefix prō-, "forward" — giving us a verb meaning "to look forward" to something that is coming. The modern word appeared first in France in the 18th century.
Vocabulary lists containing prospectus
The Big Short
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"Arcadia" by Tom Stoppard, Act 1, Scenes 2–4
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spec, spect, spic (look), List 3
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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.
The same phenomenon exists with PECOTA, the system developed by Nate Silver that has been forecasting for Baseball Prospectus for more than two decades.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026
The 2025 Dodgers have not won anything yet, even if Baseball Prospectus this week put their chances of making the playoffs at 100.0%.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2025
The Dodgers are given a 17.7% chance of a title by Baseball Prospectus, a 16.3% chance by FanGraphs and a 12% chance by Baseball Reference.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2024
The playoff chances for each team, according to Baseball Prospectus, on the last day of the first full month of the season: the Dodgers, above 99%; the Angels; below 1%.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2024
I am obliged to Dr. Rimbault for noticing, what had escaped me, that this Prospectus has been reprinted in the Censura Literaria, vol. vi. p.
From Notes and Queries, Number 181, April 16, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Bell, George
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.
