prospective

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   of or concerned with or related to the future

   prospective earnings

2. 2
   adj

   Likely or expected to happen or become.

   Prospective students are those who have already applied to the university, but have yet to be admitted.

3. 3
   adj

   Anticipated in the near or far future.

   A short distance above I-ch’ang is the prospective site of a hydroelectric dam that has vast promise for the industrialization of central China.

4. 4
   adj

   Of or relating to a prospect; furnishing a prospect.

   And in times long and dark Proſpective Glaſs / Fore-ſaw what future dayes ſhould bring to paſs,

5. 5
   adj

   Looking forward in time; acting with foresight.

   1668-1690, Josiah Child, A new discourse of trade The French king, and the king of Sweden are […] circumspect, industrious, and prospective, too, in this affair.

6. 6
   adj

   Indicating grammatically an activity about to begin.

   What some other languages convey with prospective aspect, English conveys with expressions like going to drive the car home.

7. 7
   noun

   The scene before or around, in time or in space; view; prospect.

   the whole Scene of affairs was changed from Spain to France there now lay the prospective

8. 8
   noun

   A perspective glass.

   [T]hey [two pavillions] were trimmed on the inside with rich armour and military furniture, hanged up as upon the walls; and behind the tents there were represented, in prospective, the tops of divers other tents, as if it had been a camp.

Etymology

From Middle French prospectif, from Late Latin prospectivus. See more at English prospect.