The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then.
The spokesman said no decision on the proposal was likely in the immediate future.
He was making plans for the future.
I had little time to think about what the future held for me.
Synonyms: time to come, hereafter, what lies ahead More Synonyms of future
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Future things will happen or exist after the present time.
By taking action now we can ensure that future generations will not be put at risk.
...a report on the future role of local government.
...the future King and Queen.
Synonyms: forthcoming, to be, coming, later More Synonyms of future
3. for future reference
4. countable noun [usually singular]
Someone's future, or thefutureof something, is what will happen to them or what they will do after the present time.
His future as prime minister depends on the outcome of the elections.
Graeme is a supremely talented cricketer with a splendid future in the game.
...a proposed national conference on the country's political future.
Young people are an investment for our future.
Synonyms: prospect, expectation, outlook More Synonyms of future
5. countable noun
If you say that someone or something has afuture, you mean that they are likely to be successful or to survive.
These abandoned children have now got a future.
There's no future in this relationship.
6. plural noun
When people trade in futures, they buy stocks and shares, commodities such as coffee or oil, or foreign currency at a price that is agreed at the time of purchase for items which are delivered some time in the future.
[business]
This report could spur some buying in corn futures when the market opens today.
Futures prices recovered from sharp early declines to end with moderate losses.
7. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
In grammar, the future tense of a verb is the one used to talk about things that are going to happen. In English, this applies to verb groups consisting of 'will' or 'shall' and the base form of a verb. The future perfect tense of a verb is used to talk about things that will have happened at some timein the future.
8.
See in (the) future
9.
See what the future holds
10.
See sb's future lies swh
future in British English
(ˈfjuːtʃə)
noun
1.
the time yet to come
2.
undetermined events that will occur in that time
3.
the condition of a person or thing at a later date
the future of the school is undecided
4.
likelihood of later improvement or advancement
he has a future as a singer
5. grammar
a.
a tense of verbs used when the action or event described is to occur after the time of utterance
b.
a verb in this tense
6. in future
adjective
7.
that is yet to come or be
8.
of or expressing time yet to come
9. (prenominal)
destined to become
a future president
10. grammar
in or denoting the future as a tense of verbs
Derived forms
futureless (ˈfutureless)
adjective
Word origin
C14: from Latin fūtūrus about to be, from esse to be
future in American English
(ˈfjutʃər)
adjective
1.
that is to be or come; of days, months, or years ahead
2. Grammar
indicating time to come
the future tense of a verb
noun
3.
the time that is to come; days, months, or years ahead
4.
what will happen; what is going to be
to seek to foretell the future
5.
the prospective or potential condition of a person or thing; esp., the chance to achieve, succeed, etc.
to have a great future in politics
6. [usually pl.]
a contract for a specific commodity bought or sold for delivery at a later date
7. Grammar
a.
the future tense
b.
a verb form or phrase in this tense
Word origin
ME futur < OFr < L futurus, about to be, used as fut. part. of esse, to be
COBUILD Collocations
future
build a future
decide the future of
digital future
discuss the future
economic future
embrace the future
energy future
ensure the future
envisage a future
face a future
glorious future
guarantee a future
imagine a future
plan the future
promising future
prosperous future
safeguard the future
sustainable future
unknown future
viable future
Examples of 'future' in a sentence
future
To that end it should think twice in future before attacking the media for doing its job.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The future of the oil services industry remains uncertain and any recovery is likely to be gradual.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They are staying for the foreseeable future.
The Sun (2016)
They voted to shape a brighter future for our country.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The counties decided that action was needed to safeguard the future of the game.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They are our investment in the future.
The Sun (2016)
But is use of technology a good thing for the future of football?
The Sun (2016)
It is highly unlikely that the island will become habitable for overnight tourists in the near future.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
Yet the share prices of these companies had already dropped to reflect the bad news and its likely effect on future profitability.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A number of people asked what future there was for journalism.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In future people will want their content accessed on any device.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We are satisfied that the existing facilities provide sufficient funding for the foreseeable future.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Its future is as a world reserve currency.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Who looks at the future with something other than indifference.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Yet its own future cannot be guaranteed.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The bill also raises wider questions about the funding of future party conferences.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He admitted that he was considering his future at the end of last summer.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They claim he fails to understand the need for future investment from international financiers.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Seen as a role model for future generations.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You can focus on the future instead of being held back by the past.
The Sun (2008)
What would happen if the price of futures were higher than this figure?
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
Talking about future games is different because we will see who comes out on top.
The Sun (2013)
Try and avoid future tense if possible.
Vera Peiffer POSITIVE THINKING: Everything you have always known about positive thinking but wereafraid to put into practice (2001)
His theories remained academic and his future once more lay in exile.
Malcolm Balen A VERY ENGLISH DECEIT: The Secret History of the South Sea Bubble and the First GreatFinancial Scandal (2002)
This is a team built more for the future than the present.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In some unimaginable future it must return the darkness from which came.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
This is a question about the future of the country.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We need to work hard to find the right players and prepare things for the future.
The Sun (2007)
Stay tuned for more news in the near future.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Many critical elements are already in place for future effectiveness.
Christianity Today (2000)
Shell was likely to use palm oil in the future but only when it could be certain that it was not damaging rainforests.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The map represents a time in the future, say three years out.
Torrington, Derek Personnel Management: A New Approach (1991)
I will enjoy watching the prince grow up in to our future King.
The Sun (2013)
Quotations
I never think of the future. It comes soon enoughAlbert Einstein
In other languages
future
British English: future /ˈfjuːtʃə/ ADJECTIVE
Future things will happen or exist after the present time.
The lives of future generations will be affected by our decisions.
American English: future
Arabic: مُسْتَقْبَل
Brazilian Portuguese: futuro
Chinese: 未来的
Croatian: budući
Czech: budoucí
Danish: fremtidig
Dutch: toekomstig
European Spanish: futuro
Finnish: tuleva
French: futur
German: zukünftig
Greek: μελλοντικός
Italian: futuro
Japanese: 未来の
Korean: 미래의
Norwegian: framtidig
Polish: przyszły
European Portuguese: futuro
Romanian: viitor
Russian: будущий
Latin American Spanish: futuro
Swedish: framtida
Thai: ภายหน้า
Turkish: gelecek
Ukrainian: майбутній
Vietnamese: trong tương lai
British English: future /ˈfjuːtʃə/ NOUN
The future is the period of time after the present.
A decision is likely in the near future.
American English: future
Arabic: مُسْتَقْبَل
Brazilian Portuguese: futuro
Chinese: 未来
Croatian: budućnost
Czech: budoucnost
Danish: fremtid
Dutch: toekomst
European Spanish: futuro
Finnish: tulevaisuus
French: avenir
German: Zukunft
Greek: μέλλον
Italian: futuro
Japanese: 未来
Korean: 미래
Norwegian: framtid
Polish: przyszłość
European Portuguese: futuro
Romanian: viitor
Russian: будущее
Latin American Spanish: futuro
Swedish: framtid
Thai: อนาคต อนาคต
Turkish: gelecek
Ukrainian: майбутнє
Vietnamese: tương lai
All related terms of 'future'
in future
from now on; henceforth
future life
a life after death; afterlife
energy future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present , or the things that will happen then.
future career
A career is the job or profession that someone does for a long period of their life.
future growth
The growth of something such as an industry, organization, or idea is its development in size, wealth , or importance .
future health
A person's health is the condition of their body and the extent to which it is free from illness or is able to resist illness.
future income
A person's or organization's income is the money that they earn or receive, as opposed to the money that they have to spend or pay out.
future-proof
If you future-proof something, you design or change it so that it will continue to be useful or successful in the future if the situation changes.
future shock
the inability to cope with the rapid and myriad changes of modern society, or the distress resulting from this
future tense
the time yet to come
future value
the value that a sum of money invested at compound interest will have after a specified period
viable future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then.
digital future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then.
economic future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then.
future conflict
Conflict is fighting between countries or groups of people.
future perfect
denoting a tense of verbs describing an action that will have been performed by a certain time. In English this is formed with will have or shall have plus the past participle
glorious future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then.
unknown future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then.
build a future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then.
face a future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then.
future direction
A direction is the general way in which something develops or progresses .
future employment
Employment is the fact of having a paid job.
future prosperity
Prosperity is a condition in which a person or community is doing well financially.
promising future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then.
prosperous future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then.
sustainable future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then.
discuss the future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then.
embrace the future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then.
ensure the future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present , or the things that will happen then.
envisage a future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then.
guarantee a future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then.
imagine a future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then.
in (the) future
You use in future when saying what will happen from now on, which will be different from what has previously happened. The form in the future is sometimes used instead , especially in American English.
plan the future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then.
for future reference
If you keep information for future reference , you keep it because it might be useful in the future.
in the near future
If you say that something will happen in the near future , you mean that it will happen quite soon .
safeguard the future
The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen then.
wave of the future
a trend or development that may influence or become a significant part of the future
decide the future of
The future is the period of time that will come after the present , or the things that will happen then.
sb's future lies swh
If you say that someone's future lies in a particular place or activity, you think they will be most successful or happy in that place or doing that activity.
what the future holds
If you wonder what the future holds , you wonder what will happen in the future.
in the foreseeable future
If you say that something will happen in the foreseeable future you mean that you think it will happen fairly soon .
for the foreseeable future
If you say that something will happen for the foreseeable future , you think that it will continue to happen for a long time.
present value of future cash flows
The present value of future cash flows is a method of discounting cash that you expect to receive in the future to the value at the current time.
Chinese translation of 'future'
future
(ˈfjuːtʃəʳ)
adj
将(將)来(來)的 (jiānglái de)
⇒ at some future date在将来的某一天 (zài jiānglái de mǒu yī tiān)
[president, spouse]未来(來)的 (wèilái de)
⇒ She met her future husband at the party.她是在那个晚会上认识她未来的丈夫的。 (Tā shì zài nàge wǎnhuì shang rènshi tā wèilái de zhàngfu de.)
n
(= time to come)
the future未来(來) (wèilái)
⇒ We will have to see what the future holds.我们还得看未来的发展如何。 (Wǒmen hái děi kàn wèilái de fāzhǎn rúhé.)
(c) (= prospects) 前途 (qiántú)
⇒ I decided that my future lay in medicine.我决心把我的前途放在医学方面。 (Wǒ juéxīn bǎ wǒ de qiántú fàng zài yīxué fāngmiàn.)
(Ling) (also future tense)
the future将(將)来(來)时(時) (jiāngláishí)
in (the) future (= from now on) 从(從)今以后(後) (cóngjīn yǐhòu)
in the future (= not now) 将(將)来(來) (jiānglái)
in the near/foreseeable future在不久/可预(預)见(見)的未来(來) (zài bùjiǔ/kě yùjiàn de wèilái)
there's no future in this idea这(這)个(個)设(設)想没(沒)有前途 (zhège shèxiǎng méiyǒu qiántú)
Derived Forms
futuresn pl (Fin) 期货(貨)交易 (qīhuò jiāoyì)
All related terms of 'future'
the future
未来(來) wèilái ⇒ We will have to see what the future holds. → 我们还得看未来的发展如何。 Wǒmen hái děi kàn wèilái de fāzhǎn rúhé.
a rosy future
美好的未来(來) měihǎo de wèilái
in the future
( not now ) 将(將)来(來) jiānglái
in the near future
在不远(遠)的将(將)来(來) zài bù yuǎn de jiānglái
in the foreseeable future
在可预(預)见(見)的未来(來) zài kě yùjiàn de wèilái
in the near/foreseeable future
在不久/可预(預)见(見)的未来(來) zài bùjiǔ/kě yùjiàn de wèilái
there's no future in this idea
这(這)个(個)设(設)想没(沒)有前途 zhège shèxiǎng méiyǒu qiántú
in (the) future
( from now on ) 从(從)今以后(後) cóngjīn yǐhòu
1 (noun)
Definition
the time yet to come
He made plans for the future.
Synonyms
time to come
hereafter
what lies ahead
2 (noun)
Definition
prospects
She has a splendid future in the police force.
Synonyms
prospect
The windows overlooked the superb prospect of the hills.
expectation
His nerves tingled with expectation.
outlook
The economic outlook is one of rising unemployment.
(adjective)
Definition
destined to become
the future King and Queen
Synonyms
forthcoming
his opponents in the forthcoming election
to be
coming
This obviously depends on the weather in the coming months.
later
expected
approaching
to come
succeeding
succeeding generations
fated
ultimate
subsequent
the increase of population in subsequent years
destined
prospective
The terms of the prospective deal are spelled out clearly.
eventual
No one can predict the eventual outcome of these events.
ensuing
In the ensuing violence more than 130 people were injured.
impending
He had told us that morning of his impending marriage.
unborn
in the offing
Opposites
late
,
former
,
past
,
previous
,
preceding
,
erstwhile
,
bygone
,
quondam
,
ex-
phrase
See in (the) future
Quotation
I never think of the future. It comes soon enough [Albert Einstein]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of coming
Definition
(of time or events) approaching or next
This obviously depends on the weather in the coming months.
Synonyms
approaching,
next,
future,
near,
due,
forthcoming,
imminent,
in store,
impending,
at hand,
upcoming,
on the cards,
in the wind,
nigh,
just round the corner
in the sense of ensuing
In the ensuing violence more than 130 people were injured.
Synonyms
following,
resulting,
succeeding,
subsequent,
later,
consequent
in the sense of eventual
Definition
happening or being achieved at the end of a situation or process
No one can predict the eventual outcome of these events.