WordValeprospective
expected or likely in the future
In more detail
1. (adjective) likely to happen or be suitable in the future
2. (adjective) expected or planned to be something specified
Examples
- 1. The company is looking for prospective customers interested in their new product.
- 2. The prospective president will take office next year.
How to use prospective
Prospective is used to describe someone or something that is expected to become or do something in the future, rather than already being in that role or state. It is more formal than 'future' or 'potential' and often appears in business, academic, and legal contexts when discussing candidates, plans, or anticipated events.
Common phrases
- prospective customer
- prospective buyer
- prospective employee
- prospective student
- prospective father
- prospective legislation
Synonyms
potential · future · forthcoming · expected · anticipated
Opposites
current · actual · existing
Word family
prospect (noun) · prospectively (adverb)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse prospective with perspective; prospective concerns the future, while perspective means a point of view or way of seeing things.
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