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

Morgan also admits feeling quite nervous to exchange vows in person, but the love of their circle and her wife-to-be calmed her. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026

Mostly because the object of Faydra’s sudden, all-devouring lust is her soon-to-be stepson. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026

Puga was ready to send her soon-to-be second-grader, Luna, to school and had open house a couple of days before. — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Princess Diana’s wedding dress designers David and Elizabeth Emanuel designed a secret second wedding dress for the soon-to-be Princess of Wales that was so under-the-radar that not even Diana knew about it. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 Aug. 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