1
: that is to be
specifically
: existing after death
On religion (by which he chiefly means Christianity), [philosopher Michael] Oakeshott is subtle. … He deprecates the doctrine of a future life, not as being impossible, but because it distracts people from the unique importance of the life they have. —
Charles Moore
Charles Moore 2
: of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense expressive of time yet to come
a verb in the future tense
"will" and "shall" are used as future auxiliaries
3
: existing or occurring at a later time
We cannot foretell future events.
… the chance meeting one day of your future spouse …—Robert W. Lucky
Robert W. Lucky1
a
: time that is to come
b
: what is going to happen
2
: an expectation of advancement or progressive development
3
: something (such as a bulk commodity) bought for future acceptance or sold for future delivery
—usually used in plural
grain futures
4
a
: the future tense of a language
b
: a verb form in the future tense
Examples of future in a Sentence
Adjective
We cannot predict future events.
Future generations will benefit from this research.
Noun
We're making plans for the future.
They will hire more people sometime in the future.
What do you think you will be doing in the future?
What does the future hold for you?
It's impossible to predict the future.
The company faces an uncertain future.
The future was already decided for her.
Recent Examples on the Web
Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Looking toward human use Although the study remains in its early stages, the results suggest a new approach for future therapies.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Manchester United had rejected several offers from City for fellow Lioness Grace Clinton but when the prospect of signing Park came about, negotiations regarding Clinton’s future turned a corner.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for future
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
The new contract is a clear sign that Gasly will remain an integral part of Alpine’s future plans, as well as warding off any possible interest in the Frenchman from teams further up the grid in the coming years when seats open up.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Looking toward human use Although the study remains in its early stages, the results suggest a new approach for future therapies.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
For the foreseeable future, the two will be forever conjoined.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Manchester United had rejected several offers from City for fellow Lioness Grace Clinton but when the prospect of signing Park came about, negotiations regarding Clinton’s future turned a corner.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for future
Cite this Entry
“Future.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/future. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
future
1 of 2 adjective
fu·ture
ˈfyü-chər 
1
: coming after the present
future events
2
: of, relating to, or being a verb form in the future tense
future
2 of 2 noun1
a
: time that is to come
sometime in the future
b
: what is going to happen
predict the future
2
: expectation of future success
a promising future
3
: something (as a commodity) bought or sold for delivery at a future time
—usually used in plural
grain futures
4
a
b
: a verb form in the future tense
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English future "future," from early French futur (same meaning) and Latin futurus "about to be," from the Latin verb esse "to be"
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