prospect

¹pros·pect

noun \ˈprä-ˌspekt\

Definition of PROSPECT

1

: exposure 3b

2

a (1) : an extensive view (2) : a mental consideration : survey b : a place that commands an extensive view : lookout c : something extended to the view : scene d archaic : a sketch or picture of a scene

3

obsolete : aspect

4

a : the act of looking forward : anticipation b : a mental picture of something to come : vision c : something that is awaited or expected : possibility d plural (1) : financial expectations (2) : chances

5

: a place showing signs of containing a mineral deposit

6

a : a potential buyer or customer b : a likely candidate for a job or position

— in prospect

: possible or likely for the future

Examples of PROSPECT

1. the frightening prospect of going to war
2. She is excited by the prospect of returning to school.
3. Bankruptcy is an unlikely prospect for the company.
4. There was no prospect that the two parties would reach an agreement anytime soon.
5. a young baseball player who's considered a top prospect
6. We haven't decided which car to buy yet. We're still looking at a few prospects.

Origin of PROSPECT

Middle English, from Latin prospectus view, prospect, from prospicere to look forward, exercise foresight, from pro- forward + specere to look — more at pro-, spy

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PROSPECT

Synonyms: command, lookout, outlook, panorama, perspective, view, vista

Antonyms: noncandidate

Related Words: landscape, scene, scenery; ken, sight; visual field

Near Antonyms: incumbent, officeholder; awardee, honoree, inductee; dropout

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Synonym Discussion of PROSPECT

prospect, outlook, anticipation, foretaste mean an advance realization of something to come. prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern <the prospect of a quiet weekend>. outlook suggests a forecasting of the future <a favorable outlook for the economy>. anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen <the anticipation of her arrival>. foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming <the frost was a foretaste of winter>.

Rhymes with PROSPECT

abject, advect, affect, aspect, bisect, cathect, collect, confect, connect, convect, correct, cowl-necked, defect, deflect, deject, detect, direct, Dordrecht, effect, eject, elect, erect, ewe-necked, expect, goosenecked, infect, inflect, inject, insect, inspect, neglect, object, pandect, porrect, prefect, prelect, project, protect, refect, reflect, reject, resect, respect, ring-necked, roll-necked, select, stiff-necked, subject, suspect, traject, transect, trisect, Utrecht, V-necked