: 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
Booker, a soon-to-be three-time All-American who has never had a 30-point game in her college career, is sitting at 29 points tonight.
—
Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
Which means the Peaky Blinders, the based-on-real-life Victorian gang that haunted its cobblestoned streets, have to take a side in this soon-to-be global conflict.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
The general consensus from planners, photographers, floral designers, and to-be-weds?
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026
Add the first professional team that drafted Kyler Murray to the list of franchises that might be interested in the services of the soon-to-be NFL free agent quarterback.
—Curt Anderson, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for to-be
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
Which means the Peaky Blinders, the based-on-real-life Victorian gang that haunted its cobblestoned streets, have to take a side in this soon-to-be global conflict.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
The general consensus from planners, photographers, floral designers, and to-be-weds?
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026
Add the first professional team that drafted Kyler Murray to the list of franchises that might be interested in the services of the soon-to-be NFL free agent quarterback.
—Curt Anderson, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for to-be
Cite this Entry
“To-be.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/to-be. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
