noun , verb
■ noun / ˈprɒspekt; NAmE ˈprɑːs-/
1.
[ U , sing. ] prospect (of sth / of doing sth) | prospect (that ... ) the possibility that sth will happen :
There is no immediate prospect of peace.
A place in the semi-finals is in prospect (= likely to happen) .
There's a reasonable prospect that his debts will be paid.
2.
[ sing. ] prospect (of sth / of doing sth) an idea of what might or will happen in the future :
an exciting prospect
Travelling alone around the world is a daunting prospect.
The prospect of becoming a father filled him with alarm.
3.
prospects [ pl. ] prospect (for / of sth) the chances of being successful :
good job / employment / career prospects
At 25 he was an unemployed musician with no prospects.
Long-term prospects for the economy have improved.
What are the prospects of promotion in this job?
4.
[ C ] prospect (for sth) a person who is likely to be successful in a competition :
She is one of Canada's best prospects for a gold medal.
5.
[ C ] ( formal ) a wide view of an area of land, etc. :
a delightful prospect of the lake
■ verb
/ prəˈspekt; NAmE ˈprɑːspekt/ [ v ] prospect (for sth) to search an area for gold, minerals, oil, etc. :
Thousands moved to the area to prospect for gold.
( figurative )
to prospect for new clients
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (as a noun denoting the action of looking towards a distant object): from Latin prospectus view, from prospicere look forward, from pro- forward + specere to look. Early use, referring to a view of landscape, gave rise to the meaning mental picture (mid 16th cent.), which led to the meaning anticipated event .