prospect

[ pros-pekt ]

/ ˈprɒs pɛkt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: prospect / prospected / prospecting / prospects on Thesaurus.com

noun

Usually prospects .

an apparent probability of advancement, success, profit, etc.
the outlook for the future: good business prospects.

anticipation; expectation; a looking forward.

something in view as a source of profit.

a potential or likely customer, client, etc.

a potential or likely candidate.

a view, especially of scenery; scene.

outlook or view over a region or in a particular direction.

a mental view or survey, as of a subject or situation.

Mining.

an apparent indication of ore or native metal.
a place giving such indications.
a mine working or excavation undertaken in a search for additional ore.

Archaic. sight; range of vision.

verb (used with object)

to search or explore (a region), as for gold.

to work (a mine or claim) experimentally in order to test its value.

to make a careful survey of; examine or evaluate: Another local firm uses the same telemarketer to prospect the northern Brisbane market.

verb (used without object)

to search or explore a region for gold or the like.

to make a search; look for something: As a freelancer, you will be prospecting for clients.

OTHER WORDS FOR prospect

8 perspective.

See synonyms for prospect on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about prospect

in prospect, under consideration; expected; in view: He had no other alternative in prospect.

Origin of prospect

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English prospecte, from Latin prōspectus “outlook, view”; see prospectus

synonym study for prospect

6, 7. See view.

OTHER WORDS FROM prospect

pros·pect·less, adjectivepros·pec·tor

[pros-pek-ter, pruh-spek-ter], /ˈprɒs pɛk tər, prəˈspɛk tər/, nounnon·pros·pect, nounun·der·pros·pect, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use prospect in a sentence

Silver and Tatum will be on hand in Connecticut to announce the first and second rounds, respectively, from an ESPN studio while select prospects watch from home, similar to how the WNBA and NFL drafts went this year.
On quiet night for NBA draft lottery selections, Anthony Edwards goes No. 1 to Timberwolves|Ben Golliver, Des Bieler|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Which is all to say that the two teams that entered the season with the best squads and the best odds got even better, a terrifying prospect for their opponents, especially those hoping to mount a title challenge.
Liverpool And Manchester City Look Ordinary. Are They?|Terrence Doyle|November 12, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Graham, a 6-foot-8 small forward, became a fast-rising prospect over the summer.
Maryland basketball signs a trio of four-star players, including two with Baltimore roots|Emily Giambalvo|November 12, 2020|Washington Post
Charles Law found the prospect of looking for a job daunting.
A.I. recruiting startup wins competition to help military veterans find jobs|Jeremy Kahn|November 11, 2020|Fortune

Uiagalelei looked every bit the top prospect he was out of high school, but Clemson’s defense struggled at times and will be down three injured starters again against the Fighting Irish.
College football games on TV: Notre Dame-Clemson will switch to USA Network from NBC|Matt Bonesteel|November 7, 2020|Washington Post

British Dictionary definitions for prospect

prospect

noun (ˈprɒspɛkt)

(sometimes plural) a probability or chance for future success, esp as based on present work or aptitudea good job with prospects

a vision of the future; what is foreseen; expectationshe was excited at the prospect of living in London; unemployment presents a grim prospect

a view or scene, esp one offering an extended outlook

a prospective buyer, project, etc

a survey or observation

mining

a known or likely deposit of ore
the location of a deposit of ore
a sample of ore for testing
the yield of mineral obtained from a sample of ore

verb (prəˈspɛkt)

(when intr, often foll by for) to explore (a region) for gold or other valuable minerals

(tr) to work (a mine) to discover its profitability

(intr often foll by for) to search (for)

Derived forms of prospect

prospectless, adjective

Word Origin for prospect

C15: from Latin prōspectus distant view, from prōspicere to look into the distance, from prō- forward + specere to look

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

prospect

OTHER WORDS FOR prospect

Idioms about prospect

Origin of prospect

synonym study for prospect

OTHER WORDS FROM prospect

Words related to prospect

How to use prospect in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for prospect

Derived forms of prospect

Word Origin for prospect