Main Entry: ¹pros·pect

Pronunciation: \ˈprä-ˌspekt\

Function: noun

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

Date: 15th century

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

synonyms 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>.