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 plural grain 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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Synonyms & Antonyms for future

Synonyms: Adjective

coming,
unborn

Synonyms: Noun

Antonyms: Adjective

bygone,
past

Antonyms: Noun

past

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 That’s raising the prospect that if the GOP gains power in next year’s midterms, the party may take the extraordinary step of refusing to certify future elections. — Nicholas Riccardi, Anchorage Daily News, 4 June 2021 That’s raising the prospect that if the GOP gains power in next year’s midterms, the party may take the extraordinary step of refusing to certify future elections. — Nicholas Riccardi, ajc, 4 June 2021 As Trump advances such baseless conspiracy theories, Republican state legislators are pushing what experts say is an unprecedented number of bills aimed at restricting access to the ballot box that could affect future elections. — Jill Colvin, chicagotribune.com, 3 June 2021 Just as important, is providing practical knowledge about building credit, planning for retirement and growing wealth for future generations. — Neha Mirchandani, Forbes, 2 June 2021 In the end, this can only benefit nature, aquatic life and wildlife, future generations and the taxpayer's wallet. — Bill Pollnow, Star Tribune, 2 June 2021 The results are used sometimes to confirm results, but other times to improve future elections. — Jen Fifield, The Arizona Republic, 2 June 2021 Altered males, which don’t bite, seek out wild females to mate and spread the lethal trait to future generations. — Robert Lee Hotz, WSJ, 31 May 2021 In fact, investing too much time and energy in safeguarding future generations might actually be counterproductive, if those measures end up stifling economic growth. — Geek's Guide To The Galaxy, WIRED, 28 May 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Albany's founders say that there are plans to expand Nexus to more metropolitan areas in the near future. — Rachel King, Fortune, 5 June 2021 The terrace is furnished with tables and chairs (and hopefully some plants in the near future). — Diana Budds, Curbed, 4 June 2021 Adamson, who has been buying from brands such as J. Crew, Banana Republic, Converse and Patagonia, is expecting to spend more in the near future on professional clothing. — Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, 4 June 2021 Chinese fast fashion retailer Shein is understood to have begun preparations for a possible $47 billion IPO and is expected to submit a prospectus for listing in the near future. — Mark Faithfull, Forbes, 4 June 2021 It’s not just the iPad mini 6 and iPad 9 that are getting redesigns in the near future. — Chris Smith, BGR, 4 June 2021 Mathematically, rising interest rates shift the focus of typical valuation models toward profits in the near future—Detroit’s strong suit. — Stephen Wilmot, WSJ, 3 June 2021 The company is taking advantage of its sky-high stock price, launching plans to raise gobs of money that will keep AMC marquees lit for the near future. — Frank Pallotta, CNN, 3 June 2021 There were also several other folks excited for next steps, like perhaps having a live crowd in the near future. — Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, 3 June 2021

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

7 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Future.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/future. Accessed 13 Jun. 2021.

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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.