prospectus
Americannoun
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a document describing the major features of a proposed literary work, project, business venture, etc., in enough detail so that prospective investors, participants, or buyers may evaluate it.
Don't buy the new stock offering until you read the prospectus carefully.
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a brochure or other document describing the major features, attractions, or services of a place, institution, or business to prospective patrons, clients, owners, or members.
noun
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a formal statement giving details of a forthcoming event, such as the publication of a book or an issue of shares
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a pamphlet or brochure giving details of courses, as at a college or school
Etymology
Origin of prospectus
1770–80; < Latin prōspectus outlook, view, equivalent to prōspec-, stem of prōspicere ( prō- pro- 1 + -spicere, combining form of specere to look) + -tus suffix of v. action
Explanation
A prospectus is a written catalog or brochure that offers a plan, as of school courses to take or stocks to buy. The idea of a prospectus is to offer a variety of options and a plan of action. One goal of a prospectus is to present the positive features of something in order to attract a desired participant. When a new company wants to attract investors or a stock brokerage wants to attract new clients, each offers a prospectus specific to its goals. The word is from the Latin verb specere, "to look," which is combined with the prefix prō-, "forward" — giving us a verb meaning "to look forward" to something that is coming. The modern word appeared first in France in the 18th century.
Vocabulary lists containing prospectus
The Big Short
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"Arcadia" by Tom Stoppard, Act 1, Scenes 2–4
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spec, spect, spic (look), List 3
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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 Wall Street Journal reported last week that OpenAI is preparing to file a confidential IPO prospectus with regulators in the coming days.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
It is looking to start doing so in the second half of the year, using the upgraded Starship to deploy powerful Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit, according to its stock prospectus.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
The AI business, SpaceX says in its IPO prospectus, has a total addressable market of $26.5 trillion, nearly as large as the entire U.S. gross domestic product of $31.9 trillion.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
SpaceX’s growth plans depend on Starship, according to its IPO prospectus, which listed Starship first among the risk factors facing the company.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
My school'd boast about us in their prospectus but I'd never, ever, ever come back to muddy Worcestershire.
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
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.
