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¹prospect

noun pros·pect \ˈprä-ˌspekt\

: the possibility that something will happen in the future

: an opportunity for something to happen

: someone or something that is likely to succeed or to be chosen

Full Definition of PROSPECT

: exposure 3b

a (1) : an extensive view (2) : a mental consideration : survey

b : a place that commands an extensive view : lookout

c : something extended to the view : scene

d archaic : a sketch or picture of a scene

obsolete : aspect

a : the act of looking forward : anticipation

b : a mental picture of something to come : vision

c : something that is awaited or expected : possibility

d plural (1) : financial expectations (2) : chances

: a place showing signs of containing a mineral deposit

a : a potential buyer or customer

b : a likely candidate for a job or position

— in prospect

: possible or likely for the future

See prospect defined for English-language learners

See prospect defined for kids

Origin of PROSPECT

Middle English, from Latin prospectus view, prospect, from prospicere to look forward, exercise foresight, from pro- forward + specere to look — more at pro-, spy

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PROSPECT

Synonyms: command, lookout, outlook, panorama, perspective, view, vista

Antonyms: noncandidate

Synonym Discussion of PROSPECT

prospect, outlook, anticipation, foretaste mean an advance realization of something to come. prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern <the prospect of a quiet weekend>. outlook suggests a forecasting of the future <a favorable outlook for the economy>. anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen <the anticipation of her arrival>. foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming <the frost was a foretaste of winter>.

Rhymes with PROSPECT

abject, advect, affect, aspect, bisect, cathect, collect, confect, connect, convect, correct, cowl-necked, defect, deflect, deject, detect, direct, Dordrecht, effect, eject, elect, erect, ewe-necked, expect, goosenecked, infect, inflect, inject, insect, inspect, neglect, object, pandect, porrect, prefect, prelect, project, protect, refect, reflect, reject, resect, respect, ring-necked, roll-necked, select, stiff-necked, subject, suspect, traject, transect, trisect, Utrecht, V-necked

²prospect

verb pros·pect \ˈprä-ˌspekt, chiefly British prə-ˈ\

: to search an area for gold, minerals, oil, etc.

Full Definition of PROSPECT

intransitive verb

: to explore an area especially for mineral deposits

transitive verb

: to inspect (a region) for mineral deposits; broadly : explore

— pros·pec·tor \-ˌspek-tər, -ˈspek-\ noun

See prospect defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of PROSPECT

1841

Related to PROSPECT

Synonyms: hunt, probe, explore, search, skirr

PROSPECTOR Defined for Kids

¹prospect

noun pros·pect \ˈprä-ˌspekt\

Definition of PROSPECT for Kids

: something that is waited for or expected : possibility <… he was quite pleased at the prospect of a whole winter of reading travel books … — Richard and Florence Atwater, Mr. Popper's Penguins>

: someone or something that is likely to be successful : a likely candidate <a presidential prospect>

: a wide view <The room provides a prospect of sea and land.>