promising

American  

[prom-uh-sing] / ˈprɒm ə sɪŋ /

adjective

1. giving favorable promise; likely to turn out well.

   a promising young man; a promising situation.

   Synonyms:

   favorable

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promising British  

/ ˈprɒmɪsɪŋ /

adjective

1. showing promise of favourable development or future success

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Other Word Forms

• promisingly
  adverb
• promisingness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of promising

First recorded in 1505–15; promise + -ing ²

Explanation

Promising things are encouraging or hopeful — they give you every sign that they'll be successful in the future. A promising early spring hints that the rest of the season will be warm and full of flowers. A promising ballet dancer is young, but off to a very talented start. If you pick up a novel in a bookstore and the first few pages look promising, you'll probably buy it. Promising things are full of promise, "an indication that something will occur." The Latin root is promittere, "put forth," from pro-, "forward," and mittere, "send."

Example Sentences

Through the organization, Silvers was educated more on promising drugs and treatments that may not provide a cure yet but do keep a diagnosed person healthier much longer.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

If you use social media you've probably seen them - polished fitness videos promising dramatic body transformations in weeks.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

O’Neill is an outspoken supporter of research into the controversial field of anti-aging medicine, with some promising therapies and proposed treatments that are nonetheless plagued by pseudoscience and misleading claims.

From Salon • May 7, 2026

Zohran Mamdani, 34, ran for mayor on a platform promising bold change, and won big.

From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026

He then quickly added, “But a promising one!”

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

• auspicious
• bright
• encouraging
• gifted
• talented
• up-and-coming