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

If either of us wanted to get married, the spouse-to-be would have to sign a form promising to (1) recite the Elephant Care Vow daily, and (2) live at the Clinic forever. — George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

The victim told officers that her soon-to-be ex-husband, identified as Fitzgerald, had come to her home multiple times after making verbal threats over the phone. — Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026

On the prison bus, Thomas meets Lisa, his con-artist partner-to-be from episode one. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026

The soon-to-be 27-year-old is the first to issue a challenge to Mayor Cherelle Parker, who is Bennett's former boss. — Dan Snyder, CBS News, 14 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