noun
prospect
PRAH-spekt/ˈprɑːspekt/
The possibility of a future outcome.
The prospect of a new job makes the candidate hopeful.
Etymology
Looking forward first meant looking into the distance, then mentally viewing what lay ahead. This image of anticipation gave prospect its sense of an expected or possible future event.
In context
when andy's birthday party is revealed to be happening much sooner than anticipated mr potato head is shown to be shaken at the prospect of being replaced
More examples
- The prospect of higher rent worries many tenants.
- Her job prospects improved after she earned a degree.
- There is little prospect of rain this week.
Forms
prospect · prospects
prospective adjective — Expected or possible in the future.
Similar words
- possibility
- Names something that could happen, without suggesting any expectation.
- chance
- Often emphasizes how likely an outcome is to occur.
- outlook
- Describes the overall expected future rather than one possible outcome.