to-be

adjective

tə-ˈbē 

: that is to be : future

—usually used postpositively and often in combination

a bride-to-be

Examples of to-be in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Vance has held rallies in states ranging from Iowa to Kansas and soon-to-be Alaska, touting Republicans’ tax cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and railing against socialist candidates within the Democratic Party. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

Bassam Tariq After Dark Screenings These soon-to-be-cult-classics are selected to thrill, scare and entertain. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026

Ahead of the close, Paramount has also appointed Ynon Kreiz, the former chairman and CEO of Mattel, as the co-CEO of the soon-to-be even bigger company. — Emma Roth, The Verge, 2 Oct. 2026

In Bowers, tight end Travis Kelce may be looking in the mirror at his younger self, though the soon-to-be 37-year-old has looked awfully spry himself during the first three games of the season. — Pete Sweeney october 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for to-be

• boob
• cube
• lube
• rube
• tube
• hypercube
• nanotube
• phototube

Kids Definition

to-be

adjective

tə-ˈbē

: that is to be : future

—often used in combination

a bride-to-be