English · Word Candidate

prospective

/pɹəˈspɛktɪv/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: prospectives

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Likely or expected to happen or become.

Adjective

Prospective students are those who have already applied to the university, but have yet to be admitted.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

Anticipated in the near or far future.

Adjective

A short distance above I-ch’ang is the prospective site of a hydroelectric dam that has vast promise for the industrialization of central China.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

A prospective (potential) member, student, employee, date, partner, etc.

NounRegister: informal

Would you like to show the prospective around?

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “prospective” mean?

Likely or expected to happen or become.

Is “prospective” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.