future
Pluralfutures
Pluralfutures
- 1
- 2Happening in the time that is still to come.
We need to save money for future trips.
Her future plans include going to college.
Similarlater, coming, subsequent, upcoming, forthcoming
- 3What is likely to happen to someone or something later, especially their chance of success.
Like guessing how a young plant will grow from the way it looks today.
The young player has a bright future in soccer.
Many families worried about the future of the small factory.
UsageOften have a future in something.
- 4Alternative form of futures. In trading, an agreement to buy or sell something at a set price on a later date.
The farmer sold a wheat future so he would know his price before the harvest.
She lost money when the gold future she bought dropped in value.
UsageUsually futures, as in futures contract.
Less common meanings
- 5The verb form used to talk about things that will happen later.
English uses the future to describe what will happen.
Put the verb in the future when the action has not happened yet.
Oppositepast
Note
- 6A young player in the minor leagues who might become a star.
- 7In computer programming, an object that gets the result of a task that finishes later.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Latin futūrus, a future form of the verb meaning "I am," which came into English through French.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts
- English future derives from Latin futūrus. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin futūrus is a future form of the verb sum, specifically its future active participle. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin sum means “I am.” en.wikipedia.org
- The word entered English through French. en.wiktionary.org