Prospective

Definition

Prospective refers to likely or expected to happen or become in the future.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /prəˈspɛktɪv/
• Respelling: pruh-SPEK-tiv (with "pruh" as in "prune," "SPEK" as in "speck," and "tiv" as in "active")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /prəˈspɛktɪv/
• Respelling: pruh-SPEK-tiv (similar to American English, with "pruh" as in "prune," "SPEK" as in "speck," and "tiv" as in "active")

In both dialects, "prospective" is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable, "SPEK." The pronunciation remains consistent across both American and British English, emphasizing the "SPEK" part clearly.

Etymology

The term "prospective" derives from the Latin word "prospectus", meaning "view" or "outlook", which in turn originates from the verb "prospicere", meaning "to look forward".

Derivatives

• Prospectively
• Prospector
• Prospection
• Prospect
• Prospective study

Synonyms

• Anticipated
• Forthcoming
• Expected

Antonyms

• Retrospective
• Past
• Previous

Usage

"Prospective" is often used to describe something that is expected to happen in the future, especially in contexts where planning, prediction, or anticipation is involved.

Related Terms

• Prospective memory
• Prospective cohort study
• Prospective client
• Prospective buyer

Detailed Definition

Adjective

• Relating to or effective in the future.
• Example: A prospective change to the company policy will take place next year.

• Expected or likely to happen or become.
• Example: There were several prospective buyers for the house.

• Looking forward; having regard to the future.
• Example: The manager took a prospective view of the business and planned accordingly.