prospect

noun pros·pect \ ˈprä-ˌspekt \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: prospect in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of prospect

1 : exposure 3b

2 a (1) : an extensive view

(2) : a mental consideration : survey

b : a place that commands an extensive view : lookout

c : something extended to the view : scene

d archaic : a sketch or picture of a scene

3 obsolete : aspect

4 a : the act of looking forward : anticipation

b : a mental picture of something to come : vision

c : something that is awaited or expected : possibility

d prospects plural

(1) : financial expectations

(2) : chances

5 : a place showing signs of containing a mineral deposit

6 a : a potential buyer or customer

b : a likely candidate for a job or position

— in prospect

: possible or likely for the future

See prospect defined for English-language learners

See prospect defined for kids

Examples of prospect in a Sentence

the frightening prospect of going to war
She is excited by the prospect of returning to school.
Bankruptcy is an unlikely prospect for the company.
There was no prospect that the two parties would reach an agreement anytime soon.
a young baseball player who's considered a top prospect
We haven't decided which car to buy yet. We're still looking at a few prospects.

Recent Examples of prospect from the Web

That’s one of their top prospects in Burnesy, threw two innings last night.

— matthew defranks, Sun-Sentinel.com, "A Closer Look: Miami Marlins 5, Milwaukee Brewers 4 (12 innings)," 12 July 2018
Perhaps more importantly, Sonos is strengthening its prospects by branching out beyond its reliance on Amazon’s Alexa.

— kevin kelleher, Fortune, "Apple's Airplay 2 May Be the Boost Sonos Needs for Its IPO," 11 July 2018
Republicans, meanwhile, have largely targeted Manchin, Donnelly, and Heitkamp, betting that their electoral prospects could coerce them into bucking party loyalty.

— alana abramson, Time, "Pro-Trump Group Launches Ads Urging Red State Democrats to Confirm Brett Kavanaugh," 11 July 2018
Those who leave the profession typically don’t do so because their earning prospects are better elsewhere.

— Philly.com, "A former drug dealer made good and became a Philly teacher. So why is he thinking of leaving the profession?," 11 July 2018
A year ago the Lakers supplied their prospects much freedom, careful to ensure that veterans would not threaten confidence or playing time.

— lee jenkins, SI.com, "Fit For The King: LeBron James and the Lakers Form Hollywood's Ultimate Marriage," 11 July 2018
In a gym the size of a large ballroom, Jerry West sat courtside Wednesday watching his latest prospect, Clippers guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, rip past a roster of aspiring Wizards.

— greg moore, azcentral, "Moore: Will Vegas get an NBA team? Question more 'when' than 'whether'," 11 July 2018
The Brewers traded a handful of their best prospects for Yelich and would have to part with more of their best minor leaguers to acquire Machado.

— tom haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "What does Brewers' pursuit of Orioles' Manny Machado tell us? Well, it tells us a lot.," 9 July 2018
But the Orioles can't stop where Machado goes after this season, and if New York is unwilling to part with its top prospects, the organization also could sign him as a free agent in the offseason.

— eduardo a. encina, baltimoresun.com, "Yankees have inquired about trading for Manny Machado, but offer has not yet been made," 9 July 2018

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

Did You Know?

Since the Latin prefix pro- often means "forward", prospect refers to looking forward. The prospect of a recession may lead investors to pull their money out of the stock market. Graduates of a good law school usually have excellent prospects for finding employment. Prospective students roam campuses with their parents in the year before they plan to enter college.

Origin and Etymology of prospect

Middle English, from Latin prospectus view, prospect, from prospicere to look forward, exercise foresight, from pro- forward + specere to look — more at pro-, spy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

prospect Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of prospect

prospect, outlook, anticipation, foretaste mean an advance realization of something to come. prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern.