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
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.
The USDA’s Prospective Plantings report is based primarily on surveys conducted during the first two weeks of March, reflecting growers’ plans at that time.
From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026
Prospective home buyers rely on a number of indicators to gauge prices, including how long nearby properties sit on the market and how many homes are for sale in their neighborhood.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026
The study drew on blood protein biomarker data from the PHRI-led Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological study, an international research initiative.
From Science Daily • Nov. 3, 2025
Prospective voters can visit a vote center, conditionally register and cast a ballot.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 1, 2025
Prospective parents arrived and mingled with the busloads of kids, who came with social workers.
From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan
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.
