prospect

1 of 2

noun

pros·​pect ˈprä-ˌspekt 

1

: exposure sense 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

see also:

in prospect

prospect

2 of 2

verb

pros·​pect ˈprä-ˌspekt 

chiefly British prə-ˈspekt

prospected; prospecting; prospects

intransitive verb

: to explore an area especially for mineral deposits

transitive verb

: to inspect (a region) for mineral deposits

broadly : explore

prospector

ˈprä-ˌspek-tər 

prə-ˈspek-

noun

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.

Synonyms of prospect

Noun

• view

Verb

• explore
• search

Choose the Right Synonym for 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.

the prospect of a quiet weekend

outlook suggests a forecasting of the future.

a favorable outlook for the economy

anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen.

the anticipation of her arrival

foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming.

the frost was a foretaste of winter

Examples of prospect in a Sentence

Noun

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.

Verb

soon all manner of people had arrived in the valley to prospect it for gold

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sheffer is an Oklahoma State commit but also a pro prospect. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026

The dynamic between Devers and top prospect Bryce Eldridge, who’s fighting for a spot on the Opening Day roster, will be one of this season’s more compelling subplots. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026

Verb

Only three Norwegian players — Zuccarello, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Emil Lilleberg and Detroit Red Wings prospect Michael Brandsegg-Nygård — have appeared in NHL games this season, compared to 95 Swedes and 46 Finns. —Peter Baugh, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026

Incredibly, the model even projects that prospects Mikey Romero and Freili Encarnacion, the latter of whom hasn’t even played above Single-A, will finish within the club’s top-10 with 14 and 12 homers, respectively. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1834, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing prospect

• in prospect

Kids Definition

prospect

1 of 2 noun

pros·​pect ˈpräs-ˌpekt 

1

: a wide view

2

: looking forward to something : anticipation

the prospect of a good time

3

: something that is waited for or expected : possibility

what is the prospect of our seeing you again soon?

4

a

: a possible buyer or customer

b

: a likely candidate

a presidential prospect

prospect

2 of 2 verb

: to explore especially for mineral deposits

prospecting for gold