future

1 of 2

adjective

fu·​ture ˈfyü-chər 

1

: existing or occurring at a later time

We cannot foretell future events.

… the chance meeting one day of your future spouse …

—Robert W. Lucky

2

: 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

That a belief in a future life must have a powerful influence in determining the nature of the present, there can be no reasonable doubt.

—Joseph B. Gross

3

: 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

future

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: time that is to come

promised to do better in the future

b

: what is going to happen

We cannot know the future.

2

: an expectation of advancement or progressive development

There's no future for you here.

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

Synonyms of future

Adjective

• coming
• upcoming
• subsequent

Noun

• tomorrow
• futurity

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

Adjective

His abrupt decision to abandon plans to sell a stake in FIFA’s commercial rights to private equity marks a rare and significant political defeat, exposing the limits of his authority and raising new questions about his future leadership. — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Mint Hill Commissioner Tony Hill, who represents his municipality on CRTPO, told the Observer his board will discuss its position in a future meeting this month. — Dj Simmons august 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026

Noun

The combination of elevated inflation and a resilient labor market, meanwhile, has raised the chances of an interest rate hike, futures markets show. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 July 2026

When discussing Manchester City’s future with player representatives this summer, Hugo Viana has been stressing that the football is not going to change, because new manager Enzo Maresca shares the same philosophy as Pep Guardiola. — Sam Lee, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin futurus about to be — more at be

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing future

• at a later/future date
• for future reference
• future perfect
• future shock
• future tense
• in/for the foreseeable future
• in future
• in the not too distant future
• mortgage the/one's future
• no future
• the future
• the wave of the future
• wave of the future

Rhymes for future

• suture

Kids 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 noun

1

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

: future tense

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"

Legal Definition

future

noun

fu·​ture

: a contract traded on an exchange in which a party agrees to buy or sell a quantity of a bulk commodity (as soybeans) at a specified future date and at a set price

—usually used in pl.

Note: If the price of the commodity has gone up when the future date arrives, the buyer in the contract profits. If the price has gone down, the seller profits.