You use prospective to describe someone who wants to be the thing mentioned or who is likely to be the thing mentioned.
The story should act as a warning to other prospective buyers.
When his prospective employers heard his history, they said they wouldn't hire him.
Synonyms: potential, possible, to come, about to be More Synonyms of prospective
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You use prospective to describe something that is likely to happen soon.
...the terms of the prospective deal.
Synonyms: expected, coming, future, approaching More Synonyms of prospective
prospective in British English
(prəˈspɛktɪv)
adjective
1.
looking towards the future
2. (prenominal)
anticipated or likely
Derived forms
prospectively (proˈspectively)
adverb
prospective in American English
(prəˈspɛktɪv; prɑˈspɛktɪv; proʊˈspɛktɪv)
adjective
1.
looking toward the future
2.
expected; likely; future
Derived forms
prospectively (proˈspectively)
adverb
Word origin
LL prospectivus < prospectus: see prospect
Examples of 'prospective' in a sentence
prospective
He has already admitted being eager to impress individuals who he thought were prospective employers.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The review also recommended that information about childhood convictions should not be disclosed by police to prospective employers except in exceptional circumstances.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is sending out non-disclosure agreements to prospective buyers this week.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You have to take a look at the nature of your prospective employer.
Kiam, Victor Going For It!: How to Succeed As an Entrepreneur (1986)
These must comply with the law and not mislead prospective buyers.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The debt increases the risks for prospective owners.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The prospective new members are already in the church building.
Christianity Today (2000)
Parents and prospective students should take note.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This will give a prospective employer a clear idea of experience gained.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Make sure that prospective buyers can make their way through the garden easily.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It will also change his sales pitch for any prospective new signings.
The Sun (2012)
How then are we to make clear to prospective parents what ought to be expected ofthem?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
If it is good you can hand it out to prospective employers.
The Sun (2014)
But prospective students and parents want to understand their career prospects.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The students have identified prospective bond purchases in education, solar energy and housing.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You can answer questions from prospective buyers, sort viewings and receive feedback.
The Sun (2014)
The prospective buyer 's offer will reflect this cost.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The drop is not being put down to prospective adoptive parents being less caring, though.
The Sun (2012)
As of last night, neither man had been spoken to by the club or their prospective owners.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
As for the prospective new owner, the only thing that mattered to him today was that result.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
I hoped it would make interesting and useful reading for any prospective medical student and their parents.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
A dog that appears to have a double nose is struggling to find a home after being overlooked by sniffy prospective owners.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
A new service for prospective husbands promises to conjure up the most romantic scenarios to pop the question and provide the ring.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
At the most popular universities, entry is increasingly subjective and it is important that prospective students present themselves in the best possible light.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He and I used to interview prospective students.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
prospective
British English: prospective ADJECTIVE
You use prospective to describe someone who wants to be the thing mentioned or who is likely to be the thing mentioned.
The story should act as a warning to other prospective buyers.
American English: prospective
Brazilian Portuguese: provável
Chinese: 预期的
European Spanish: posible
French: potentiel
German: potenziell
Italian: potenziale
Japanese: 見込みのある
Korean: 예상되는
European Portuguese: provável
Latin American Spanish: promitente
Chinese translation of 'prospective'
prospective
(prəˈspɛktɪv)
adj
[husband, employer, buyer etc]可能的 (kěnéng de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
future
The story is a warning to other prospective buyers.
Synonyms
potential
We are aware of the potential dangers.
possible
One possible solution is to take legal action.
to come
about to be
upcoming
We'll face a tough fight in the upcoming election.
soon-to-be
2 (adjective)
Definition
expected or likely
The terms of the prospective deal are spelled out clearly.
Synonyms
expected
Profits last month were well above the expected figure.
coming
This obviously depends on the weather in the coming months.
future
the future King and Queen
approaching
likely
A `yes' vote is the likely outcome.
looked-for
intended
awaited
hoped-for
anticipated
forthcoming
his opponents in the forthcoming election
imminent
They warned that a storm was imminent.
destined
eventual
No one can predict the eventual outcome of these events.
on the cards
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 eventual
Definition
happening or being achieved at the end of a situation or process
No one can predict the eventual outcome of these events.
Synonyms
final,
later,
resulting,
future,
overall,
concluding,
ultimate,
prospective,
ensuing,
consequent
in the sense of forthcoming
Definition
about to appear or happen
his opponents in the forthcoming election
Synonyms
approaching,
coming,
expected,
future,
imminent,
prospective,
impending,
upcoming
Synonyms of 'prospective'
prospective
Explore 'prospective' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of future
Definition
destined to become
the future King and Queen
Synonyms
forthcoming,
to be,
coming,
later,
expected,
approaching,
to come,
succeeding,
fated,
ultimate,
subsequent,
destined,
prospective,
eventual,
ensuing,
impending,
unborn,
in the offing
in the sense of imminent
Definition
likely to happen soon
They warned that a storm was imminent.
Synonyms
near,
coming,
close,
approaching,
threatening,
gathering,
on the way,
in the air,
forthcoming,
looming,
menacing,
brewing,
impending,
at hand,
upcoming,
on the cards,
on the horizon,
in the pipeline,
nigh (archaic),
in the offing,
fast-approaching,
just round the corner,
near-at-hand
in the sense of likely
Definition
probable
A `yes' vote is the likely outcome.
Synonyms
probable,
expected,
anticipated,
odds-on,
on the cards,
to be expected
in the sense of possible
Definition
capable of existing, happening, or proving true
One possible solution is to take legal action.
Synonyms
likely,
potential,
anticipated,
probable,
odds-on,
on the cards,
Po$Ebl
in the sense of upcoming
Definition
coming soon
We'll face a tough fight in the upcoming election.