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

That’s why Belber said MVP Arena won’t be submitting any future bids for that event. —Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 29 Mar. 2026

While adding this charter amendment to the November ballot will require a one-time fee of $345,000 to the Supervisor of Elections’ Office, any future November election for Pembroke Pines Commission would be $0. —Mike Hernández, Sun Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2026

Noun

Last week, futures traders briefly pushed the probability of a rate increase by the end of 2026 to 52%. —Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026

Championships will be in his future. —Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 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.