promising

1 of 2

adjective

prom·​is·​ing ˈprä-mə-siŋ 

: full of promise : likely to succeed or to yield good results

a promising new medicine

promisingly adverb

promising

2 of 2

present participle of promise entry 2

Synonyms of promising

Adjective

• bright
• optimistic
• hopeful
• encouraging
• likely

Examples of promising in a Sentence

Adjective

The neighborhood didn't look very promising.

a promising writer who just may write the great American novel someday

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The current focus for all involved is likely ensuring that a young man with a promising future achieves as full of a recovery as possible. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2026

And, as usual, some of the most promising shows are scheduled for some of the most modest venues. — Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

If explored further, this study could open a promising new pathway to global, large-scale clean energy storage by showing that naturally occurring hydrogen traps can double as high-capacity power banks. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026

Of interest to the teenage set is new series Coven Academy, which is set at a New Orleans school that only enrolls the most promising witches and warlocks. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1594, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for promising

• unpromising

Kids Definition

promising

adjective

prom·​is·​ing

ˈpräm-ə-siŋ

: likely to turn out well

a promising student

promisingly

-siŋ-lē

adverb