Prospect
Definition
Prospect is both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to the possibility or likelihood of a future event or outcome. As a verb, it means to search or explore for valuable resources, such as minerals.
Parts of Speech
- Noun
- Verb
Pronunciation
American English
- Noun IPA: /ˈprɑː.spɛkt/
- Noun Respelling: PRAH-spekt
- Verb IPA: /prəˈspɛkt/
- Verb Respelling: pruh-SPEKT
British English
- Noun IPA: /ˈprɒs.pɛkt/
- Noun Respelling: PROS-pekt
- Verb IPA: /prəˈspɛkt/
- Verb Respelling: pruh-SPEKT
Etymology
The word "prospect" originates from the Latin "prospectus," meaning "a view or outlook," derived from "prospicere," meaning "to look forward" (composed of "pro-" meaning "forward" and "specere" meaning "to look"). It entered Middle English through Old French in the 15th century.
Derivatives
- Prospective (adjective)
- Prospector (noun)
- Prospection (noun)
- Prospected (verb)
- Prospectless (adjective, rare)
Synonyms
- Possibility
- Outlook
- Opportunity
Antonyms
- Impossibility
- Hopelessness
- None
Usage
The term "prospect" is widely used in business, geology, and general discussions about future possibilities. Examples include "The prospect of rain is likely this evening" (noun) and "They are prospecting for gold in the mountains" (verb).
Related Terms
- Forecast: A prediction or estimate of future events.
- Exploration: The act of searching or investigating.
- Potential: The inherent capacity for something to happen.
Detailed Definitions
Noun
- A possibility or likelihood of a future event: Refers to the chance of something occurring in the future.
- Example: "The prospect of economic growth is promising."
- A mental picture of the future: Refers to a vision or expectation.
- Example: "She was excited by the prospect of starting a new job."
- A place likely to contain valuable minerals: Refers to a location identified for resource extraction.
- Example: "The geologist identified a rich prospect in the area."
Verb
- To search for valuable minerals or resources: Refers to exploring areas to find metals, minerals, or other resources.
- Example: "The miners are prospecting for gold in the riverbeds."
- To explore or investigate opportunities: Refers to looking for potential chances or ventures.
- Example: "The sales team is prospecting for new clients."
prospect
🇨🇳 Mandarin
- 前景 (Prospect as in outlook or future): Qiánjǐng
- IPA Pronunciation: /t͡ɕʰjɛn˨˩ t͡ɕiŋ˥/
- Respelling in English: Chyen-jing
- 勘探 (Prospect as in exploring for minerals): Kāntàn
- IPA Pronunciation: /kʰan˥˥ tʰan˨˩˦/
- Respelling in English: Kan-tan
🇮🇳 Hindi
- संभावना (Prospect as in possibility): Sambhavna
- IPA Pronunciation: /sʌmbʱɑːv.nɑː/
- Respelling in English: Samb-hav-na
- खोज (Prospect as in exploring for minerals): Khoj
- IPA Pronunciation: /khoːd͡ʒ/
- Respelling in English: Khoj
🇪🇸 Spanish
- Perspectiva (Prospect as in outlook or future)
- IPA Pronunciation: /peɾspek'tiba/
- Respelling in English: Per-spek-ti-ba
- Prospección (Prospect as in exploring for minerals)
- IPA Pronunciation: /pɾospek'sjon/
- Respelling in English: Pros-pek-sion
🇫🇷 French
- Perspective (Prospect as in outlook or future)
- IPA Pronunciation: /pɛʁ.spɛk.tiv/
- Respelling in English: Per-spek-tiv
- Prospection (Prospect as in exploring for minerals)
- IPA Pronunciation: /pʁɔ.spek.sjɔ̃/
- Respelling in English: Pro-spek-sion
🇸🇦 Modern Standard Arabic
- أفق (Prospect as in outlook or future): Ufuq
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʔʊfuːq/
- Respelling in English: U-fuq
- تنقيب (Prospect as in exploring for minerals): Tanqeeb
- IPA Pronunciation: /tænˈqiːb/
- Respelling in English: Tan-qeeb
🇧🇩 Bengali
- সম্ভাবনা (Prospect as in possibility): Sambhabana
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʃɔmbʱɔbna/
- Respelling in English: Shom-bhob-na
- খোঁজ (Prospect as in exploring for minerals): Khonj
- IPA Pronunciation: /khond͡ʒ/
- Respelling in English: Khonj
🇷🇺 Russian
- Перспектива (Prospect as in outlook or future): Perspektiva
- IPA Pronunciation: /pʲɪrspʲɪkˈtʲivə/
- Respelling in English: Pi-rspek-ti-va
- Проcпекция (Prospect as in exploring for minerals): Prospektsiya
- IPA Pronunciation: /prɐspʲɪkˈtsɨjə/
- Respelling in English: Pro-spek-tsi-ya
🇵🇹 Portuguese
- Perspectiva (Prospect as in outlook or future)
- IPA Pronunciation: /pɨʃpɨˈtivɐ/
- Respelling in English: Per-sper-ti-va
- Prospecção (Prospect as in exploring for minerals)
- IPA Pronunciation: /pɾuspɛs'ɐ̃w̃/
- Respelling in English: Prus-pe-saon
🇮🇩 Indonesian
- Prospek (Prospect as in outlook or future)
- IPA Pronunciation: /pros.pɛk/
- Respelling in English: Pros-pek
- Penjelajahan (Prospect as in exploring for minerals)
- IPA Pronunciation: /pɛnd͡ʒɛlaːd͡ʒahan/
- Respelling in English: Pen-je-la-ja-han
🇩🇪 German
- Aussicht (Prospect as in outlook or future)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈaʊ̯sɪçt/
- Respelling in English: Aus-sicht
- Prospektion (Prospect as in exploring for minerals)
- IPA Pronunciation: /pʁɔspekˈt͡si̯oːn/
- Respelling in English: Pros-pek-tsi-on
🇯🇵 Japanese
- 展望 (Prospect as in outlook or future): Tenbō
- IPA Pronunciation: /tenboː/
- Respelling in English: Ten-bo
- 探査 (Prospect as in exploring for minerals): Tansa
- IPA Pronunciation: /tan.sa/
- Respelling in English: Tan-sa
🇻🇳 Vietnamese
- Triển vọng (Prospect as in outlook or future)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʈʂiən˨˩˦ vəːŋ˧˦/
- Respelling in English: Trien vong
- Khảo sát (Prospect as in exploring for minerals)
- IPA Pronunciation: /kʰaːw˨˩ʔ ʂaːt˧˥/
- Respelling in English: Khao sat
🇰🇷 Korean
- 전망 (Prospect as in outlook or future): Jeonmang
- IPA Pronunciation: /t͡ɕʌn.maŋ/
- Respelling in English: Jeon-mang
- 탐사 (Prospect as in exploring for minerals): Tamsa
- IPA Pronunciation: /tʰam.sa/
- Respelling in English: Tam-sa
🇹🇷 Turkish
- Beklenti (Prospect as in outlook or future)
- IPA Pronunciation: /be'klenti/
- Respelling in English: Be-klen-ti
- Araştırma (Prospect as in exploring for minerals)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɑːrɑʃ'tɯrmɑ/
- Respelling in English: A-ra-sh-tir-ma
Prospect
Definition
Prospect is a noun that often refers to the possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring. It can also be used as a verb, meaning to search for mineral deposits, especially by drilling and excavation.
Parts of Speech
"Prospect" can be used as both a noun and a verb.
Pronunciation
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈprɑːspɛkt/ in American English and /ˈprɒspɛkt/ in British English.
- Respelling: American (PRAH-spekt), British (PROS-spekt).
Etymology
The term "prospect" originates from the Latin word "prospectus", meaning 'view or outlook'. It entered the English language in the late 15th century.
Derivatives
- Prospective
- Prospector
- Prospects
- Prospected
- Unprospected
Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms
- Possibility
- Chance
- Outlook
Antonyms
- Improbability
- Unlikelihood
- Hopelessness
Usage and Related Terms
Usage:
- The prospect of a peaceful agreement is slim.
- She is prospecting for gold in the hills.
Related terms:
- Prospector
- Prospective
- Prospectus
Detailed Definition
As a noun, "prospect" refers to the likelihood or possibility of a future event happening. It often carries a connotation of expectation or anticipation. Additionally, "prospect" can also refer to a person regarded as likely to succeed or as a potential customer, client, etc.
As a verb, "prospect" involves the search for mineral deposits or oil, often in commercially viable quantities.
Examples:
- The prospect of a vacation in the near future is exciting.
- The sales team identified several prospects at the trade show.
- Geologists are prospecting the seabed for oil.
🇵🇰 Urdu
- امکان (Prospect as in possibility): Imkaan
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɪm'kaːn/
- Respelling in English: Im-kaan
- تلاش (Prospect as in exploring for minerals): Talaash
- IPA Pronunciation: /təˈlɑːʃ/
- Respelling in English: Ta-laash
