future

1 of 2

adjective

fu·​ture ˈfyü-chər How to pronounce future (audio)
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

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 goal was to gather crucial data so that engineers can go back and tinker with Starship to improve it for future missions. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, McRaven—who oversaw the 2011 raid that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden—has pledged to use the money to develop education programs for future military leaders and the children of deceased veterans, as well as mental health support for those who serve. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 As for which artist would open future concerts, West had a unique suggestion. Dave Brooks, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2024 Persuading far-right members of the House to keep the government open is strategic—a means to preserve Republican congressional seats and to exact future cuts. David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024 State regulators are currently in the midst of a battle over future water regulations. Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 During the Starship's coast toward entry, flight controllers planned to test of payload door that will be used on future flights to launch Starlink satellites. William Harwood, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2024 Peacock couldn’t find an audience for the comedy — or any of its sitcoms, for that matter, the rest of which have been canceled — and corporate parent NBC Universal allowed Netflix to become the home of both the pre-existing homes and any future ones. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024 Black and Gass also shot some footage dancing to the song on the red carpet for a future video. Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Mar. 2024
Noun
Marine Corps forces deployed aboard ships also have historically participated in such missions, but for the foreseeable future, none are expected in the region because of an ongoing shortage of available amphibious ships overseen by the Navy, U.S. officials said. Missy Ryan, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 The same was true for the question of reaching a truce with Ukraine, for example, or restoring relations with the West; some twenty per cent more respondents favor these policies for Russia’s future than expect Putin to carry them out. Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2024 SpaceX will review the data from the flight before preparing for future, more frequent launches. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Mar. 2024 With more extreme weather predicted in the coming years, the Massachusetts town will likely need those sorts of defenders for the foreseeable future. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024 More Ed News:Some school districts bet on AI as future of security while others raise doubts The bill also says schools should provide onsite mental health services after the drill and provide prior notice to parents about when the drill will happen. Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Mar. 2024 After a long and unsuccessful effort by the island council to bar future Orange Crush gatherings, Georgia lawmakers passed a bill earlier this year that allows the council to sue online promoters for unpermitted events. Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Mar. 2024 The 30-year-old company is charting its course for a robust future by expanding on plans to help protect and celebrate the past. Brent Simon, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 Jason Kelce meets with the media to discuss his future. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'future.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of future was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near future

Cite this Entry

“Future.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/future. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

future

1 of 2 adjective
fu·​ture ˈfyü-chər How to pronounce future (audio)
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
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.

More from Merriam-Webster on future

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