future

1 of 2

adjective

fu·​ture ˈfyü-chər 

1

: that is to be

specifically : existing after death

On religion (by which he chiefly means Christianity), [philosopher Michael] Oakeshott is subtle. … He deprecates the doctrine of a future life, not as being impossible, but because it distracts people from the unique importance of the life they have.

—Charles Moore

2

: of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense expressive of time yet to come

a verb in the future tense

"will" and "shall" are used as future auxiliaries

3

: existing or occurring at a later time

We cannot foretell future events.

… the chance meeting one day of your future spouse …

—Robert W. Lucky

future

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: time that is to come

b

: what is going to happen

2

: an expectation of advancement or progressive development

3

: something (such as a bulk commodity) bought for future acceptance or sold for future delivery

—usually used in plural

grain futures

4

a

: the future tense of a language

b

: a verb form in the future tense

Synonyms

Adjective

• coming
• unborn

Noun

• by-and-by
• futurity
• hereafter
• offing
• tomorrow

Examples of future in a Sentence

Adjective

We cannot predict future events.

Future generations will benefit from this research.

Noun

We're making plans for the future.

They will hire more people sometime in the future.

What do you think you will be doing in the future?

What does the future hold for you?

It's impossible to predict the future.

The company faces an uncertain future.

The future was already decided for her.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The journalist met her future husband on the Bumble dating app in March 2017 after moving to D.C. from New York City. —Hannah Sacks, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024

Vitamin E, fatty acids, and argan oil hydrate to condition skin and invest in future protection by strengthening the skin barrier. —Annie Blackman, Allure, 2 Dec. 2024

Noun

Ironically, the keys to a not-so-distant future where commercial buildings operate more efficiently, waste less energy and reduce emissions can be found in one of the largest and fastest-growing consumers of energy: data centers. —Riaz Raihan, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Anderson is nominated for her starring role in The Last Showgirl, a film about a Las Vegas showgirl named Shelly whose future is left unknown when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run. —Toria Sheffield, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin futurus about to be — more at be

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing future

• at a later/future date
• for future reference
• future perfect
• future shock
• future tense
• in/for the foreseeable future
• in future
• in the not too distant future
• mortgage the/one's future
• no future
• the future
• the wave of the future
• wave of the future

Kids Definition

future

1 of 2 adjective

fu·​ture ˈfyü-chər 

1

: coming after the present

future events

2

: of, relating to, or being a verb form in the future tense

future

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: time that is to come

sometime in the future

b

: what is going to happen

predict the future

2

: expectation of future success

a promising future

3

: something (as a commodity) bought or sold for delivery at a future time

—usually used in plural

grain futures

4

a

: future tense

b

: a verb form in the future tense

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English future "future," from early French futur (same meaning) and Latin futurus "about to be," from the Latin verb esse "to be"

Legal Definition

future

noun

fu·​ture

: a contract traded on an exchange in which a party agrees to buy or sell a quantity of a bulk commodity (as soybeans) at a specified future date and at a set price

—usually used in pl.

Note: If the price of the commodity has gone up when the future date arrives, the buyer in the contract profits. If the price has gone down, the seller profits.