prospective

adjective

1. 1

   Likely or expected to happen or become.

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

2. 2

   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.

3. 3

   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,

4. 4

   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.

5. 5

   Being a study that starts with the present situation and follows participants into the future

6. 6

   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.

noun

1. 1

   obsoleteThe 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

2. 2

   obsoleteA 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.

3. 3

   informalA prospective (potential) member, student, employee, date, partner, etc.

   Would you like to show the prospective around?

   I'm meeting the prospectives at 3.

   At the moment, meeting interesting, 'could be, maybe not' prospectives around the globe keeps her entertained.

Forms

plural

prospectives