# prospect

/ˈpɹɑspɛkt/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prospect
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. future possibility

noun · CEFR B2 · General-service

the possibility that something will happen in the future, especially something good.

For teachers: the possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring. Often used in the plural to discuss general future success.

- The prospect of a long holiday kept her motivated throughout the busy week.
- The prospect of a significant interest rate hike has caused considerable anxiety among small business owners and independent investors alike.

### 2. potential candidate

noun · CEFR B2 · General-service

a person who is likely to be successful or chosen for a job or team.

For teachers: a person regarded as likely to succeed or as a potential candidate for a position, especially in professional sports or sales.

- The sales team is meeting with a new prospect tomorrow morning.
- Scouts from several major league teams attended the game to evaluate the young pitching prospect before the upcoming draft.

### 3. a wide view

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a wide view of a landscape or area from a high place.

For teachers: an extensive or panoramic view of a landscape; a scene spread out before the observer.

- From the top of the hill, we enjoyed a beautiful prospect of the valley below.
- The architect designed the terrace specifically to capture the grand prospect of the rugged coastline and the distant islands.

### 4. to search for minerals

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to search an area for gold, oil, or other valuable minerals.

For teachers: to explore an area for mineral deposits or oil. Intransitive, often followed by 'for'.

- Many people went west to prospect for gold during the nineteenth century.
- Geologists were sent to the remote northern territory to prospect for rare earth minerals essential for battery production.

Usage: The verb is usually intransitive and takes the preposition 'for'.

## Examples

- The prospect of a new job is very exciting.
- The team was motivated by the prospect of winning the championship for the first time in a decade.
- Economists remain cautious about the prospect of a full recovery, citing persistent inflation and supply chain disruptions as significant barriers to growth.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.