What does prospective mean?
Prospective means existing as a possibility, intention, or expectation now, with the actual status or event still to come. It is especially common before nouns such as “buyer,” “employee,” “student,” “customer,” “tenant,” and “member”: a prospective buyer is someone who may purchase something, while a prospective employee may be hired. The word often suggests that consideration or preparation is still under way, so it does not claim that the outcome is certain. “Future” and “potential” are close in meaning, but “prospective” is generally more specific to an anticipated person, arrangement, or course of events. Although “prospective” can also be used as a rare noun for a potential candidate, it is most naturally an adjective and appears extensively in business, legal, educational, and everyday contexts.
Expected, intended, or likely to become something in the future.
"The university is considering several prospective students for its research program."
Commonly used before nouns such as “buyer,” “employee,” “tenant,” and “candidate.”
A person who may become a candidate for a position, arrangement, or other role.
"Each prospective was asked to explain how they would contribute to the project."
This noun use is less common than the adjective use and is especially associated with formal or specialized contexts.
The plural is used in the rare noun sense, referring to potential candidates.
"The committee interviewed three prospectives for the opening."
Looking at a prospective contract means looking at its potential before it becomes official.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prospective come from?
The adjective comes from the Latin participle “prospective,” formed from “pro-” and “spectare,” both of which are related to looking. The underlying Latin root “specere” means “to look at” and also contributed to English words such as “spectator” and “inspector.” In English, “prospective” developed in the sense of looking forward or anticipating a future event, and its modern use commonly means intended or likely to occur in the future.
Related word forms
How prospective is actually used
In standard modern English, “prospective” is used mainly as an adjective. The noun meaning “a potential candidate” is much less common and is usually used in formal or specialized contexts. It is distinct from “perspective,” which refers to a viewpoint.
Easily confused with prospective
“Prospective” describes someone or something expected in the future, while “perspective” means a particular viewpoint or way of interpreting something.
“Prospective” is a common English word meaning future or potential, whereas “spectative” is uncommon and means looking toward or viewing.