futurist

American  

[fyoo-cher-ist] / ˈfyu tʃər ɪst /

noun

1. (sometimes initial capital letter) a follower of futurism, especially an artist or writer.

2. Theology. a person who maintains that the prophecies in the Apocalypse will be fulfilled in the future.

3. Also futurologist a person whose occupation or specialty is the forecasting of future events, conditions, or developments.

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adjective

1. futuristic.

Etymology

Origin of futurist

From the Italian word futurista, dating back to 1835–45. See future, -ist

Example Sentences

Ask a futurist about self-driving cars, and you’ll hear an exciting story: traffic that flows like clockwork, pedestrians stepping into the street without fear, and collisions so rare they make the news.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 2, 2025

Gustavo Dudamel conducted a futurist new production of “La Bohème” in Paris that took place in outer space.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2025

The famous futurist Nicholas Negroponte predicted in 1993 that “within the next five years more than one in ten people will wear head-mounted computer displays while traveling in buses, trains, and planes.”

From Slate • May 30, 2024

“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

“I need to send it to a man called Dr. Ben. He runs a sustainable futurist community in New York State called the Ranch.”

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy