prospective
Americanadjective
-
of or in the future.
prospective earnings.
-
potential, likely, or expected.
a prospective partner.
adjective
-
looking towards the future
-
(prenominal) anticipated or likely
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of prospective
From the Late Latin word prōspectīvus, dating back to 1580–90. See prospectus, -ive
Explanation
If it's prospective, it hasn't happened yet. Prospective students are students who might attend a school in the future. If you visit any college campus, you’ll see prospective students checking out the library, the dorms, and athletic facilities. Prospective indicates that something is expected or likely to happen. If you’re contemplating your future, you might speak of your prospective career, your prospective spouse, or a prospective million-dollar offer to make a movie based on your fascinating life. However, avoid the common mistake of confusing prospective with perspective. Perspective, which can mean “a reasonable point of view,” is important when one wants to accurately assess prospective opportunities.
Vocabulary lists containing prospective
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
NAEP Test Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Common Senses: Spec, Spect, Spic ("Look")
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Three real-estate pros share the most bizarre items they had to conceal from prospective buyers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
He says this has enabled him to show prospective employers "young people can bring a fresh perspective, ask the questions others overlook and add real value even without a mountain of experience."
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
Large prospective clinical trials are still needed to determine whether the medications directly reduce cancer risk.
From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026
A celebrity’s ties to a property would create instant buzz—and served as a sure-fire tactic for luring in a line of prospective buyers.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026
Even Clarence Darrow, the great defender of the downtrodden, had been charged with trying to bribe prospective jurors.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
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.
