prospect
gb/pɹˈɔspɛkt/ us/pɹˈɔspɛkt/
B1
English
~ 1900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
chance of something happening
The chance that something will happen in the future.
Usage pattern:
the prospect of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'prospect' with 'perspective'; 'prospect' refers to a possible future, not a point of view.
Synonyms
possibility (A more general and neutral term for something that might happen.)
|
likelihood (Emphasizes the probability aspect more strongly.)
Antonyms
impossibility (Indicates that something cannot happen at all.)
Collocations
bright prospect
|grim prospect
|job prospects
|prospect of success
|exciting prospect
Themes
future
|planning
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The prospect of traveling abroad excites me.
- There is little prospect of rain this weekend.
- Losing his job was a frightening prospect.
Learner examples
- The prospect of a holiday makes me happy.
- There is no prospect of snow today.
- She likes the prospect of meeting new people.
Noun
B2
entity
2
potential customer or recruit
A person who may buy something or join a group.
Synonyms
candidate (Often used for job or position applications; can also mean someone suitable for recruitment.)
|
lead (Business term for a potential customer, especially in sales and marketing.)
Collocations
sales prospect
|promising prospect
|prospective client
Themes
business
|sales
|recruitment
|work
Examples
- The sales team met with several new prospects today.
- He is a top prospect for the basketball team.
- Our marketing campaign aims to attract more prospects.
Learner examples
- We have three new prospects for the team.
- The shop owner spoke to a prospect about the product.
- She is a good prospect for our club.
Noun
B2
entity
3
view over an area
A wide and beautiful view of an area.
Synonyms
view (General term for what can be seen from a place.)
|
panorama (Suggests an extensive and often scenic view.)
Collocations
fine prospect
|open prospect
Themes
nature
|travel
Examples
- From the hilltop, there was a magnificent prospect of the valley.
- The window offered a pleasant prospect of the garden.
- They climbed to enjoy the prospect from the tower.
Learner examples
- We saw a nice prospect from the top of the hill.
- The hotel room had a good prospect of the sea.
- I like the prospect from my balcony.
Verb
B2
action
4
search for minerals or resources
To look for gold, oil, or other valuable things in the ground.
Usage pattern:
to prospect for [something]
Synonyms
explore (More general; can refer to investigating any area, not just for resources.)
|
mine (Specifically refers to extracting minerals after finding them.)
Collocations
prospect for gold
|prospect for oil
Themes
mining
|exploration
|science
|work
Examples
- They are prospecting for gold in the mountains.
- Several companies are prospecting for oil in the region.
- The team spent months prospecting before finding any silver.
Learner examples
- People came here to prospect for gold.
- They prospect for oil in this area.
- We will prospect for minerals next year.
Grammar
Dictionary form
prospect
IPA
GB/pɹˈɔspɛkt/
US/pɹˈɔspɛkt/
Syllables & stress
pro - spect (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pro)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: prospect
- Plural: prospect, prospects
Verb
- Base: prospect
- 3rd Person Singular: prospects
- Present Participle: prospecting
- Past: prospected
Word family
Forms
prospects
noun
prospecting
verb
prospected
verb
Core family
prospective
adjective C1
Related words
prospector
noun
Advanced or less common
prospectus
noun
prospectively
adverb
Expressions
career prospects
1/kɚˈɪɹ pɹˈɔspɛkts/
fixed phrase
future career opportunities and growth potential
Chances of doing well and moving up in your job over time.
Examples
- Moving abroad improved his career prospects.
- Career prospects in this field are excellent.
in prospect
1/ˈɪn pɹˈɔspɛkt/
fixed phrase
formal
likely to happen soon
Something that is expected to happen soon.
Examples
- Several exciting changes are in prospect for the company.
- With summer in prospect, many families are planning vacations.
job prospects
1/d͡ʒˈɑb pɹˈɔspɛkts/
fixed phrase
future employment opportunities
The chance of getting a job in the future.
Examples
- Graduates often worry about their job prospects.
- Her job prospects improved after she learned coding.
prospects are good/bright/poor/etc.
1/pɹˈɔspɛkts ˈɑɹ ɡˈʊdbɹˈaɪtpˈʊɹəts ‖/
fixed phrase
describing future success chances
Used to say how likely it is that something will be successful in the future.
Examples
- Prospects are good for the new product launch.
- The prospects are poor for an early agreement.