future

adjective

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fu·ture | \ ˈfyü-chər

Definition of future

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : that is to be specifically : existing after death doctrine of a future life — John Kenrick

2 : of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense expressive of time yet to come

3 : existing or occurring at a later time met his future wife We cannot foretell future events.

future

noun

Definition of future (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : 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 pluralgrain futures

4a : the future tense of a language

b : a verb form in the future tense

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about future

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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 Remind yourself that one failure or problem doesn’t mean there is no hope for future improvement. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, "Horoscope for Oct. 24, 2020: Taurus, you’re critical of your progress; Leo, research details," 24 Oct. 2020 Almost every producer was trying this future house wave. — Katie Bain, Billboard, "20 Questions With Tchami: The French Phenom on His Debut Album, Working With Lady Gaga & 'The Communion' of Live Music," 23 Oct. 2020 However, a building not too far from the future business center will soon construction Dec. 15, Eighmy said. — Liz Hardaway, ExpressNews.com, "Workers tearing down old Bexar County jail in downtown San Antonio to make way for new UTSA business school," 23 Oct. 2020 Among the spectators who attended his hanging in Charles Town that December was John Wilkes Booth, the future presidential assassin. — Alexis Coe, Washington Post, "Abraham Lincoln and John Brown: Imperfect heroes of the fight to end slavery," 23 Oct. 2020 Folks can spread the Dia spirit by entering the car decorating competition to win tickets to future drive-in shows. — Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Virtual and drive-in Dia de los Muertos festivities planned," 23 Oct. 2020 Some companies canceled their summer internship programs, while others pivoted to remote solutions, offering future titans of industry a chance to learn the ropes from their parents’ basement. — Robert Channick, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago companies expand recruiting reach with virtual internships. ‘Geography is off the table.’," 23 Oct. 2020 Amphitheater construction will be funded through the City of Huntsville’s capital plan and a percentage of future lodging taxes. — Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, "Huntsville amphitheater funding approved. What’s next?," 23 Oct. 2020 Our Children’s Trust, the law firm representing the plaintiffs, expressed optimism that Walter’s dissenting opinion would leave the door open for future litigation, which is being considered. — Tim Gruver, Washington Examiner, "Oregon high court strikes down environmental lawsuit by Oregon youths," 23 Oct. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Winona is a 20-year-old writer (a standout Jessica Barden) who's dropped out of school and navigates her love life and an uncertain future while also dealing with the confusing onset of crippling panic attacks. — Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, "Ranked: All the best movies we saw at the virtual AFI Fest, from 'Nine Days' to 'Belushi'," 26 Oct. 2020 And the lifetime appointees will have be the architects of an American future that deeply affects Black women. — Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, "Is it too late to hope for a Black woman on the Supreme Court?," 26 Oct. 2020 But organizing is rising to support an alternative future. — Nikil Saval, The New Republic, "The Future of the Democratic Party Is in Pennsylvania," 26 Oct. 2020 This thumbnail-sized tour of one possible future is only that. — Arkansas Online, "OPINION | OTHERS SAY: Imagine the future," 24 Oct. 2020 But aside from his Democratic convention speech warning of a grim future if people vote for Trump, and attaching his name to several dozen fundraising emails for Biden’s campaign, Obama has not been a prominent figure in Biden’s campaign. — Emily Larsen, Washington Examiner, "Biden team deploys campaign-closer: Barack Obama," 23 Oct. 2020 Much of that secure and prosperous future will depend on the health and safety of our microchip industry. — Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, "The Capital Letter: Week of October 19," 23 Oct. 2020 There have been some changes in the brewery scene since the pandemic began, with at least one brewery still shutdown for the foreseeable future, a new brewery that quietly opened in the interim and plans for more in the works (see details below). — Ian Mcnulty, NOLA.com, "Cheers! New Orleans brewery taprooms are back, see opening details and what's changed," 23 Oct. 2020 The five designers participating in Teen Vogue’s Generation Next program for young talent represent a new, potent vision for fashion’s future, one that prizes community and heritage alongside commerciality. — Vogue Runway, Vogue, "Meet the 5 Young Designers in Teen Vogue’s Generation Next Program," 23 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'future.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

28 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Future.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/future. Accessed 30 Oct. 2020.

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More Definitions for future

future

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of future

(Entry 1 of 2)

: coming after the present time : existing in the future

—used to say what someone or something will be

future

noun

English Language Learners Definition of future (Entry 2 of 2)

: the period of time that will come after the present time

: the events that will happen after the present time

: the condition or situation of someone or something in the time that will come

See the full definition for future in the English Language Learners Dictionary

future

adjective

fu·ture | \ ˈfyü-chər

Kids Definition of future

(Entry 1 of 2)

: coming after the present future events

future

noun

Kids Definition of future (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the period of time that is to come What will happen in the future?

2 : the chance of future success You have a bright future.

future

noun

fu·ture

Legal Definition of future

: 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.

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