prospective

adjective

pro·​spec·​tive prə-ˈspek-tiv 

 also  ˈprä-ˌspek-,

prō-ˈspek-,

prä-ˈspek-

1

: relating to or effective in the future

2

a

: likely to come about : expected

the prospective benefits of this law

b

: likely to be or become

a prospective mother

prospectively adverb

Examples of prospective in a Sentence

In 2005 [Jerry] Colangelo arranged face-to-face sit-downs with every prospective national team player, to hear in their own words why they wanted to represent their country. —Alexander Wolff, Sports Illustrated, 28 July 2008

All too often in the post-Vietnam past—the first Gulf War, for example—the default position of the Democratic Party has been to assume that any prospective use of U.S. military power would be immoral. —Joe Klein, Time, 21 Aug. 2006

All of these arguments were prospective, all anticipated the role that public opinion would play in future constitutional disputes. —Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings … , 1996

Recent Examples on the Web

With 33-year-old Derek busy and focused on quarterbacking the New Orleans Saints, 45-year-old David sometimes gives a first look at a business deal, doing research and even meeting the prospective business partners for lunch. —Jeff Fedotin, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

The film, which comes from the co-writers of A Quiet Place, follows two Mormon missionaries (East and Thatcher) who door-knock a prospective recruit. —Seija Rankin, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Nov. 2024

Health entrepreneur Calley Means is an ex-consultant to food and drug interests and close confidant of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who's poised to help shape a prospective second Trump administration's health care agenda. —Victoria Knight, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024

The bid does not yet have a formal structure, but the prospective ownership group is being co-led by billionaires Richard Chaifetz and David Hoffman. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see prospect entry 1

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

prospective

adjective

pro·​spec·​tive prə-ˈspek-tiv 

 also  ˈprä-ˌspek-,

prō-ˈspek-,

prä-ˈspek-

1

: likely to come about

prospective benefits

2

: likely to become

a prospective buyer

Medical Definition

prospective

adjective

pro·​spec·​tive prə-ˈspek-tiv 

: relating to or being a study (as of the incidence of disease) that starts with the present condition of a population of individuals and follows them into the future compare retrospective

prospectively

-lē 

adverb

Legal Definition

prospective

adjective

pro·​spec·​tive prə-ˈspek-tiv, ˈprä-ˌspek- 

1

: relating to or effective in the future

a statute's prospective effect

2

: likely to come about : expected to happen

prospective inability to perform the contract

3

: likely to be or become

a prospective buyer

prospectively adverb