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

Shortly after, the mom-to-be stepped out in the Big Apple wearing a strapless yellow velvet gown with a floral design from Lela Rose’s Resort 2027 collection. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026

Where does that leave the soon-to-be Comcast-less NBCUniversal? — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

In the 1856 election to determine the seat of government, local boosters drew in soldiers from nearby forts to vote for the soon-to-be Orlando with the promise of a picnic dinner. — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2026

Hollywood stars and music industry mainstays typically have access to a much larger budget than the average soon-to-be-weds. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 5 July 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