Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense prospects, present participle prospecting, past tense, past participle prospectedpronunciation note: The noun is pronounced (prɒspekt, US prɑː-). The verb is pronounced (prəspekt, US prɑːspekt) and is hyphenated pro+spect.
1. variable noun
If there is some prospectof something happening, there is a possibility that it will happen.
Unfortunately, there is little prospect of seeing these big questions answered. [+ of]
The prospects for peace in the country's eight-year civil war are becoming brighter. [+ for]
There is a real prospect that the bill will be defeated in parliament.
Synonyms: likelihood, chance, possibility, plan More Synonyms of prospect
2. singular noun
A particular prospect is something that you expect or know is going to happen.
They now face the prospect of having to wear a cycling helmet by law. [+ of]
After supper he'd put his feet up and read. It was a pleasant prospect.
3. plural noun
Someone's prospects are their chances of being successful, especially in their career.
I chose to work abroad to improve my career prospects.
...a detailed review of the company's prospects.
4. verb
When people prospect for oil, gold, or some other valuable substance, they look for it in the ground or underthe sea.
He had prospected for minerals everywhere from the Gobi Desert to the Transvaal. [VERB + for]
In fact, the oil companies are already prospecting not far from here. [VERB]
Synonyms: look, search, seek, survey More Synonyms of prospect
prospectinguncountable noun
He was involved in oil, zinc and lead prospecting.
The discovery of gold brought a flood of prospectors into the Territories.
More Synonyms of prospect
prospect in British English
noun (ˈprɒspɛkt)
1. (sometimes plural)
a probability or chance for future success, esp as based on present work or aptitude
a good job with prospects
2.
a vision of the future; what is foreseen; expectation
she was excited at the prospect of living in London
unemployment presents a grim prospect
3.
a view or scene, esp one offering an extended outlook
4.
a prospective buyer, project, etc
5.
a survey or observation
6. mining
a.
a known or likely deposit of ore
b.
the location of a deposit of ore
c.
a sample of ore for testing
d.
the yield of mineral obtained from a sample of ore
verb (prəˈspɛkt)
7. (whenintr, often foll by for)
to explore (a region) for gold or other valuable minerals
8. (transitive)
to work (a mine) to discover its profitability
9. (intransitive; often foll byfor)
to search (for)
Derived forms
prospectless (ˈprospectless)
adjective
Word origin
C15: from Latin prōspectus distant view, from prōspicere to look into the distance, from prō- forward + specere to look
prospect in American English
(ˈprɑsˌpɛkt)
noun
1.
a.
a broad view; scene
b.
a place affording such a view
2.
a mental view or examination; survey
3.
the view obtained from any particular point; outlook
4.
a looking forward to something; anticipation
5.
a.
something hoped for or expected; anticipated outcome
b. [usually pl.]
apparent chance for success
6.
a likely or prospective customer, candidate, undertaking, etc.
7. US, Mining
a.
a place where a mineral deposit is sought or found
b.
a sample of gravel, earth, etc. tested for a particular mineral, or the resulting yield of mineral
verb transitive, verb intransitive
8. US
to explore or search (for)
to prospect for gold
Idioms:
in prospect
Word origin
ME prospecte < L prospectus, lookout < prospicere, to look forward < pro-, forward + specere, to look: see spy
prospect in the Oil and Gas Industry1
(prɑspɛkt)
Word forms: (regular plural) prospects
noun
(Extractive engineering: Exploration)
A prospect is a formation identified by an oil or gas exploration team as being likely to produce oil or gas.
The initial reserves of a prospect are determined on the basis of seismic surveys that give an indication of the volumeof hydrocarbons present.
Sedimentary basins are regarded as good prospects for oil and gas exploration.
A prospect is a formation identified by an oil or gas exploration team as being likely to produceoil or gas.
prospect in the Oil and Gas Industry2
(prɑspɛkt)
Word forms: (present) prospects, (past) prospected, (perfect) prospected, (progressive) prospecting
verb
(Extractive engineering: Exploration)
To prospect for oil or gas is to explore an area it in order to see if there is any oil or gas there.
After prospecting the formation, nothing of value was found and it was abandoned.
In order to seek a less expensive way to power his plant, Smith prospected for oil and gas in Ohio, and found them.
To prospect for oil or gas is to explore an area it in order to see if there is any oil or gasthere.
prospector
COBUILD Collocations
prospect
bleak prospect
daunting prospect
distant prospect
imminent prospect
recovery prospects
Examples of 'prospect' in a sentence
prospect
Does anyone really think we know much more about the underlying performance and prospects for a company as a result?
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
But that looks a distant prospect.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Driverless taxis are a real prospect, too.
The Sun (2016)
With no prospects of work in the local area, they will have no ability to provide for their families.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Birmingham is a choice because of its affordability and the fact you can do business here now and there'sgreat career prospects.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
So we go into the negotiation with our eyes open to the opportunities that are presented and optimistic about our country 's prospects.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Now we ourselves face the prospect of censorship via legal action in the UK.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
While construction in disputed territories does undermine peace prospects the focus on the issue has been engineered by Palestinians and diverts attention from their failings.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It is a beneficiary of the devaluation of sterling so, if anything, its prospects have improved over recent weeks.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is little prospect of phasing out subsidies by 2020, which is as far ahead as the government has promised to pay them.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Not all are convinced by the prospects for gold.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Voters in elections where economic losses are in prospect are likely to be more risk averse.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The prospect of soft ground worries the trainer.
The Sun (2008)
There is no dividend and little prospect of one this early in the cycle.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The prospects for peace do indeed look bleak.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
She was distraught at the prospect of another war.
Paul Preston DOVES OF WAR: Four Women of Spain (2002)
And you have to say that is a very real prospect.
The Sun (2012)
There is a new look and the prospects are good.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He could have been faced with a far more formidable prospect.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The prospect has raised expectations of an imminent release.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Three in five said job prospects were bad or not so good.
The Sun (2008)
So how can they use their time productively until employment prospects improve?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Those prospects look brighter than they have done for years.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There are worrying reports that generals who resist political requests have found their career prospects impaired.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
All combine to make spending hours getting to work a viable prospect.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We would also expect managers to take future prospects into account when setting the payment.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
The credit insurance sector faces grim prospects amid a rise in bankruptcies and a concurrent increase in payment default claims.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There is no realistic prospect of a buyer being found and the priority now is to close the ovens down safely.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The prospect of leading them into Europe next season is bound to appeal.
The Sun (2013)
Prospects for the company remain good, as an inevitable tightening of the public purse looms.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
This country 's prospects require a recovery in the economies of its principal trading partners.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The figure includes oil and gas prospects and assets further down the supply chain, such as refineries.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The young researchers blanched; what had seemed sure in the lab seemed rather less certain when faced with the prospect of the press.
Oliver Morton Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet (2007)
He also raised the prospect that further action might be needed to keep Britain's recovery on track.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
prospect
British English: prospect /ˈprɒspɛkt/ NOUN
A prospect is a possibility or a possible event.
There is no prospect of these questions being answered.
American English: prospect
Arabic: تَوَقُّعَ
Brazilian Portuguese: perspectiva
Chinese: 前景
Croatian: mogućnost
Czech: vyhlídka naděje
Danish: mulighed
Dutch: mogelijkheid
European Spanish: perspectiva posibilidad
Finnish: näkymä
French: prospect
German: Aussicht Erwartung
Greek: προοπτική
Italian: prospettiva
Japanese: 見通し
Korean: 전망
Norwegian: mulighet
Polish: perspektywa
European Portuguese: perspectiva
Romanian: perspectivă
Russian: перспектива
Latin American Spanish: perspectiva representación visual
Swedish: utsikt
Thai: โอกาส
Turkish: gelecek beklentisi
Ukrainian: перспектива
Vietnamese: triển vọng
All related terms of 'prospect'
in prospect
expected
bleak prospect
A particular prospect is something that you expect or know is going to happen.
Mount Prospect
village in NE Ill .: suburb of Chicago : pop. 56,000
daunting prospect
A particular prospect is something that you expect or know is going to happen.
distant prospect
A particular prospect is something that you expect or know is going to happen .
imminent prospect
If there is some prospect of something happening , there is a possibility that it will happen .
Chinese translation of 'prospect'
prospect
(nˈprɔspɛkt; vbprəˈspɛkt)
n
(c/u) (= likelihood) 可能 (kěnéng)
(s) (= thought) 期望 (qīwàng)
vi
to prospect (for sth)[gold, oil, minerals]勘探(某物) (kāntàn (mǒuwù))
Derived Forms
prospectsn pl (for work, marriage) 前景 (qiánjǐng)
1 (noun)
There is little prospect of having these questions answered.
Synonyms
likelihood
The likelihood is that people would be willing to pay.
chance
This partnership has a good chance of success.
possibility
There is still a possibility of unrest in the country.
plan
hope
Kevin hasn't given up hope of being fit.
promise
proposal
odds
expectation
His nerves tingled with expectation.
probability
There is a high probability of success.
anticipation
There's been an atmosphere of anticipation round here for some days.
presumption
2 (noun)
Definition
expectation, or something anticipated
the pleasant prospect of a quiet night in
Synonyms
idea
Some of his ideas about democracy are entirely his own.
thought
They had no thought of surrendering.
outlook
contemplation
The garden is a place of quiet contemplation.
3 (noun)
Definition
a view or scene
The windows overlooked the superb prospect of the hills.
Synonyms
view
The view from our window was one of beautiful countryside.
perspective
stretching away along the perspective of a tree-lined, wide avenue
landscape
Arizona's desert landscape
scene
James Lynch's country scenes
sight
Among the most spectacular sights are the great sea-bird colonies.
vision
The disease causes blindness or serious loss of vision.
outlook
The house has an expansive southern outlook over the valley.
spectacle
the bizarre spectacle of an actor desperately demanding an encore
panorama
He looked out over a panorama of hills and valleys.
vista
an endless vista of snow peaks and shadowed valleys
(plural noun)
Definition
chances or opportunities for future success
I chose to work abroad to improve my career prospects.
Synonyms
possibilities
openings
chances
future
potential
expectations
outlook
scope
(verb)
Definition
to search for gold or other valuable minerals
The companies are prospecting for oil not far from here.
Synonyms
look
Have you looked on the piano?
search
Armed troops searched the hospital yesterday.
seek
survey
Geological experts were commissioned to survey the land.
explore
The film explores the relationship between artist and instrument.
drill
go after
dowse
phrase
See in prospect
Additional synonyms
in the sense of anticipation
Definition
the act of anticipating
There's been an atmosphere of anticipation round here for some days.
Synonyms
expectancy,
hope,
expectation,
apprehension,
foresight,
premonition,
preconception,
foretaste,
prescience,
forethought,
presentiment
in the sense of chance
Definition
the extent to which something is likely to happen
This partnership has a good chance of success.
Synonyms
probability,
odds,
possibility,
prospect,
liability,
likelihood
in the sense of contemplation
The garden is a place of quiet contemplation.
Synonyms
thought,
consideration,
reflection,
musing,
meditation,
pondering,
deliberation,
reverie,
rumination,
cogitation
Synonyms of 'prospect'
prospect
Explore 'prospect' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of expectation
Definition
something looked forward to, whether feared or hoped for
His nerves tingled with expectation.
Synonyms
anticipation,
hope,
possibility,
prospect,
chance,
fear,
promise,
looking forward,
excitement,
prediction,
outlook,
expectancy,
apprehension,
suspense
in the sense of explore
Definition
to examine or investigate, esp. systematically
The film explores the relationship between artist and instrument.
Synonyms
investigate,
consider,
research,
survey,
search,
prospect,
examine,
probe,
analyse,
look into,
inspect,
work over,
scrutinize,
inquire into
in the sense of hope
Definition
a feeling of desire for something, usually with confidence in the possibility of its fulfilment
Kevin hasn't given up hope of being fit.
Synonyms
belief,
confidence,
expectation,
longing,
dream,
desire,
faith,
ambition,
assumption,
anticipation,
expectancy,
light at the end of the tunnel
in the sense of landscape
Definition
an extensive area of land regarded as being visually distinct
Arizona's desert landscape
Synonyms
scenery,
country,
view,
land,
scene,
prospect,
countryside,
outlook,
terrain,
panorama,
vista
in the sense of outlook
Definition
the view from a place
The house has an expansive southern outlook over the valley.
Synonyms
view,
prospect,
scene,
aspect,
perspective,
panorama,
vista
in the sense of panorama
Definition
a wide unbroken view in all directions
He looked out over a panorama of hills and valleys.
Synonyms
view,
prospect,
scenery,
vista,
bird's-eye view,
scenic view
in the sense of perspective
stretching away along the perspective of a tree-lined, wide avenue
Synonyms
view,
scene,
prospect,
outlook,
panorama,
vista
in the sense of possibility
Definition
the state of being possible
There is still a possibility of unrest in the country.
Synonyms
likelihood,
chance,
risk,
odds,
prospect,
liability,
hazard,
probability
in the sense of presumption
Definition
a basis on which an assumption is made
Synonyms
probability,
chance,
reason,
grounds,
basis,
likelihood,
plausibility
in the sense of probability
Definition
the condition of being probable
There is a high probability of success.
Synonyms
likelihood,
prospect,
chance,
odds,
expectation,
liability,
presumption,
likeliness
Additional synonyms
in the sense of scene
Definition
the view of a place or landscape
James Lynch's country scenes
Synonyms
view,
prospect,
panorama,
vista,
landscape,
tableau,
outlook
in the sense of search
Definition
to look through (a place) thoroughly in order to find someone or something
Armed troops searched the hospital yesterday.
Synonyms
examine,
check,
investigate,
explore,
probe,
inspect,
comb,
inquire,
sift,
scour,
ferret,
pry,
ransack,
forage,
scrutinize,
turn upside down,
rummage through,
frisk (informal),
cast around,
rifle through,
leave no stone unturned,
turn inside out,
fossick (Australian, New Zealand),
go over with a fine-tooth comb
in the sense of sight
Definition
anything that is seen
Among the most spectacular sights are the great sea-bird colonies.
Synonyms
spectacle,
show,
scene,
display,
exhibition,
vista,
pageant
in the sense of spectacle
Definition
a strange, interesting, or ridiculous scene
the bizarre spectacle of an actor desperately demanding an encore
Synonyms
sight,
wonder,
scene,
phenomenon,
curiosity,
marvel,
laughing stock
in the sense of survey
Definition
to inspect (a building) to assess its condition and value
Geological experts were commissioned to survey the land.
Synonyms
measure,
estimate,
prospect,
assess,
appraise,
triangulate,
review,
plot
in the sense of thought
Definition
an intention, hope, or reason for doing something
They had no thought of surrendering.
Synonyms
intention,
plan,
idea,
design,
aim,
purpose,
object,
notion
in the sense of vision
Definition
the ability to see
The disease causes blindness or serious loss of vision.
Synonyms
sight,
seeing,
eyesight,
view,
eyes,
perception
in the sense of vista
Definition
an extensive view
an endless vista of snow peaks and shadowed valleys