adjective

prospective

pruh-SPEK-tiv/prəˈspektɪv/

Expected or likely to happen or become something in the future.

The prospective buyers inspect the empty apartment while the agent holds the keys.

Two prospective home buyers inspect an empty apartment with keys still held by agent; buyers look thoughtfully around, transaction not yet completed; minimal doorway and window outline.

Etymology

proLatinforward

+spectLatinlook at

+iveLatinpertaining to

The forward-looking image originally described looking toward the future. The meaning then shifted to what is looked forward to or expected, so a prospective appointment or candidate is anticipated rather than already established.

In context

FinelyRevealed0:16

this is the part of the process where the prospective jurors are in the courtroom

This is what they ask you in jury duty- real questions

More examples

The agent shows the house to prospective buyers.
She prepares questions to ask her prospective employer.
They weigh the prospective benefits against the risks.

Forms

prospective

prospect noun — Something expected or considered likely to happen.

Similar words

potential: Emphasizes possibility rather than an expectation of becoming something.
future: Places something later in time without emphasizing its likelihood.
expected: Suggests a stronger belief that something will actually happen.