prospectus

American  

[pruh-spek-tuhs] / prəˈspɛk təs /

noun

• prospectuses
  plural

1. 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.

2. 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.

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prospectus British  

/ prəˈspɛktəs /

noun

1. a formal statement giving details of a forthcoming event, such as the publication of a book or an issue of shares

2. a pamphlet or brochure giving details of courses, as at a college or school

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• prospectuses
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

prospectus prospectuses

Other highly anticipated IPOs include that of Jio Platforms, the company behind India’s largest mobile network provider, which filed its preliminary prospectus earlier this year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

It was the basis for Burnham's speech earlier this month on Manchesterism and remains his national political-economic-constitutional prospectus.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

The portfolio is weighted based on the inverse of each stock’s price volatility, according to the fund’s prospectus.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 8, 2026

As a result, the prospectus says, “Mr. Musk will be able to control the outcome of matters requiring shareholder approval,” including the selection of directors and even whether he himself should step down.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026

Every mortgage bond came with its own mind-numbingly tedious 130-page prospectus.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Analysts at investment banks connected to listing companies can now publish research alongside company prospectuses, shortening the IPO process by seven days, the Financial Conduct Authority said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

Although investors can read the prospectuses for the risks associated with such short-term trading tools, Sotiroff suspects that many individual investors don’t fully understand the risks involved.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

This information, which might steer investors away from the market’s riskiest assets, is available in the prospectuses companies file with the SEC.

From Barron's ● Nov. 18, 2025

Under the pending legislation, which essentially amounts to a single paragraph, the standardized table of fees in prospectuses would change.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2025

You could pull these prospectuses, and just quickly check the pulse of what was happening in the subprime mortgage portion of the originate-and-sell industry.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

• catalogue
• syllabus