prospective
/prəˈspɛktɪv
/adjective [attributive]
1Expected or expecting to be the specified thing in the future: she showed a prospective buyer around the house...
- You are expected to ask the prospective candidates a technical question to judge their ability.
- In 1913, when it lay empty, two sisters visited to pose as prospective buyers.
- But it provided a conversation piece when the estate agent and prospective buyers came round.
1.1Likely to happen at a future date: a meeting to discuss prospective changes in government legislation...
- Clearly, the legislation is prospective, and in future that will be quite possible.
- Our study was designed as a prospective, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial.
- Although prospective in design these studies have methodological flaws.
Synonyms
potential, possible, probable, likely, future, eventual, -to-be, soon-to-be, in the making, destined, intended;
intending, aspiring, would-be;
forthcoming, approaching, coming, imminent;
presumptive, designate
Derivatives
prospectively
- These exemptions will cease prospectively from September 1, 2004.
- Take away the bragging rights, and all you've got left is wretched traffic jams, booked-up hotels, and a prospectively unpaid bill for a stadium you didn't want.
- And it must affect investors prospectively, not retrospectively.
prospectiveness
Origin
Late 16th century (in the sense 'looking forward, having foresight'): from obsolete French prospectif, -ive or late Latin prospectivus, from Latin prospectus 'view' (see prospect).