: that is to be : future
—usually used postpositively and often in combination
a bride-to-be
Examples of to-be in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Reilly Give your kick-happy little one-to-be a piece of O’Reilly once they’re born by making part of her last name their first name.
—
Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 20 June 2026
The soon-to-be 26-year-old left winger scored at the end of the first half on a breakaway, casually flicking the ball past Haitian goalkeeper Johny Placide.
—CBS News, 20 June 2026
As distressing as their circumstance is, Naim and Ryan are unmistakably positioned as heroic lovers, not victims-to-be.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
The bride- and groom-to-be are safely insulated from the gossip while en route to their welcome party this evening.
—Choire Sicha, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
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Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 20 June 2026
The soon-to-be 26-year-old left winger scored at the end of the first half on a breakaway, casually flicking the ball past Haitian goalkeeper Johny Placide.
—CBS News, 20 June 2026
As distressing as their circumstance is, Naim and Ryan are unmistakably positioned as heroic lovers, not victims-to-be.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
The bride- and groom-to-be are safely insulated from the gossip while en route to their welcome party this evening.
—Choire Sicha, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for to-be
Cite this Entry
“To-be.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/to-be. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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