I. pros ‧ pect 1 W2 AC /ˈprɒspekt $ ˈprɑː-/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: prospectus , from the past participle of prospicere 'to look forward' ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] the possibility that something will happen
prospect of doing something
I see no prospect of things improving here.
There is every prospect (=a strong possibility) of the weather remaining dry this week.
prospect for
There are good prospects for growth in the retail sector.
prospect that
There’s a real prospect that England will not qualify for the World Cup.
2 . [singular] a particular event which will probably or definitely happen in the future – used especially when you want to talk about how you feel about it
prospect of
The prospect of marriage terrified Alice.
Greeks face the prospect of new general elections next month.
He relishes the prospect of a fight.
daunting/exciting etc prospect
be excited/alarmed/concerned etc at the prospect (of something)
She wasn’t exactly overjoyed at the prospect of looking after her niece.
3 . prospects [plural] chances of future success:
I had no job, no education, and no prospects.
job/career prospects
Job prospects for graduates don’t look good.
4 . [countable] a person, job, plan etc that has a good chance of success in the future
5 . in prospect formal likely to happen in the near future:
A new round of trade talks is in prospect.
6 . [countable usually singular] formal a view of a wide area of land, especially from a high place
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COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ adjectives
▪ daunting (=frightening in a way that makes you not feel confident)
It is a pretty daunting prospect, being on stage for forty minutes.
▪ terrifying
Driving through London in a strange car was a terrifying prospect.
▪ gloomy/grim/bleak
Many Britons face the grim prospect of having their home repossessed.
▪ exciting
We were to be her guardians. This was an exciting prospect.
▪ attractive
A journey of that length was not an attractive prospect.
■ verbs
▪ face the prospect (of something)
Now they face the prospect of unemployment.
▪ relish the prospect (of something) (=enjoy the thought of it very much)
She would have to speak to him. She didn’t relish the prospect.
▪ dread the prospect (of something) (=feel very worried about it)
I dread the prospect of staying here while you’re away.
■ phrases
▪ be excited/thrilled/delighted etc at the prospect (of something)
I was excited at the prospect of going to Washington.
▪ be alarmed/appalled/upset etc at the prospect (of something)
She was secretly appalled at the prospect of being looked after by her aunt.
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THESAURUS
■ what will happen to somebody/something
▪ sb’s/sth’s future what will happen to someone or something:
He knew that his future was in films.
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Shareholders will meet to decide the company’s future.
▪ fate someone or something’s future – used especially when you are worried that something bad could happen:
The fate of the hostages remains uncertain.
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The show’s fate lies in the hands of TV bosses.
▪ destiny what will happen to someone in their life, especially something important:
Sartre believed that everyone is in charge of their own destiny.
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He thinks that it is his destiny to lead the country.
▪ the outlook what will happen, especially concerning business, the economy, or the weather:
The economic outlook looks good.
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Here is the weather outlook for tomorrow.
▪ prospect the idea or possibility that something will happen:
the awful prospect of another terrorist attack
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Prospects for a peace settlement don’t look too good.
▪ fortune what will happen to a person, organization etc in the future – used especially when talking about whether or not they will be successful:
Fans are hoping for a change in the club’s fortunes.
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Two years ago, my financial fortunes took a turn for the better (=they improved) .
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In 1680 he decided that his fortune lay in the theatre.
II. pro ‧ spect 2 /prəˈspekt $ ˈprɑːspekt/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive]
1 . to examine an area of land or water, in order to find gold, silver, oil etc ⇨ prospector
prospect for
The company is prospecting for gold in Alaska.
2 . to look for something, especially business opportunities
prospect for
salesmen prospecting for new customers