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

Judge will face live pitching on Monday against to-be-determined pitchers. — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Onsite is the noteworthy and not-to-be-missed Cafe Boulud and a spa offering post-beach blowouts and more. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026

Take a note from A-listers and shop these soon-to-be fall fashion staples from Amazon while prices start at $15. — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

My soon-to-be-husband, Josh, was explaining that antelope season comes after archery elk season, followed by pheasant season, followed by ducks and geese and chukars, which somehow ends only narrowly before spring turkey. — Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 2 Sep. 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