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

Last month The Sacramento Bee published a series chronicling Chris Carlisle’s efforts to save his 32-year-old daughter Califia Carlisle, once a promising young college student, from a desperate and dangerous life on the streets. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026

This difference matters because promising materials must eventually be synthesized and processed into practical device structures. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026

Baltimore is entering a promising new chapter for public safety. — Mike Hilliard, Baltimore Sun, 13 Oct. 2026

After a promising start to the potential game-tying drive in the extra frame, Tagovailoa would toss an interception to Baltimore All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton to seal Atlanta's fate. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 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