promising

1 of 2

adjective

prom·​is·​ing ˈprä-mə-siŋ 

: full of promise : likely to succeed or to yield good results

a promising new medicine

promisingly adverb

promising

2 of 2

present participle of promise entry 2

Synonyms of promising

Adjective

• bright
• optimistic
• hopeful
• encouraging
• likely

Examples of promising in a Sentence

Adjective

The neighborhood didn't look very promising.

a promising writer who just may write the great American novel someday

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Virgo August 23 – September 22 Your idea may be more promising than the first attempt suggests. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2026

Success Academy’s founder sees Florida — and Miami, in particular — as a promising place to grow her charter school’s influence and footprint. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026

Sears reclassified from the class of 2028 and committed to the University of Miami in August, establishing himself as one of South Florida's most promising young football talents. — CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026

Plus, the market’s continuing education offering Discovery Campus will be hosting 24 promising film professionals from 17 countries, including 10 rising talents featured in the 10th edition of the Black Nights Stars showcase. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1594, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for promising

• unpromising

Kids Definition

promising

adjective

prom·​is·​ing

ˈpräm-ə-siŋ

: likely to turn out well

a promising student

promisingly

-siŋ-lē

adverb