prospect Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the possibility of future success
    chance.
    • his prospects as a writer are excellent
  2. noun belief about (or mental picture of) the future
    outlook; expectation.
  3. noun someone who is considered for something (for an office or prize or honor etc.)
    candidate.
  4. noun the visual percept of a region
    vista; panorama; scene; aspect; view.
    • the most desirable feature of the park are the beautiful views
  5. noun a prediction of the course of a disease
    prognosis; medical prognosis.
  6. verb search for something desirable
    • prospect a job
  7. verb explore for useful or valuable things or substances, such as minerals

WordNet

Pros"pect noun
Etymology
L. prospectus, fr. prospicere, prospectum, to look forward; pro before, forward + specere, spicere, look, to see: cf. OF. prospect. See Spy, v., and cf. Prospectus.
Definitions
  1. That which is embraced by eye in vision; the region which the eye overlooks at one time; view; scene; outlook.
    His eye discovers unaware The goodly prospect of some foreign land. Milton.
  2. Especially, a picturesque or widely extended view; a landscape; hence, a sketch of a landscape.
    I went to Putney . . . to take prospects in crayon. Evelyn.
  3. A position affording a fine view; a lookout. R.
    Him God beholding from his prospect high. Milton.
  4. Relative position of the front of a building or other structure; face; relative aspect.
    And their prospect was toward the south. Ezek. xl. 44.
  5. The act of looking forward; foresight; anticipation; as, a prospect of the future state. Locke.
    Is he a prudent man as to his temporal estate, that lays designs only for a day, without any prospect to, or provision for, the remaining part of life ? Tillotson.
  6. That which is hoped for; ground for hope or expectation; expectation; probable result; as, the prospect of success. "To brighter prospects born." Cowper.
    These swell their prospectsd exalt their pride, When offers are disdain'd, and love deny'd. Pope.
Pros"pect transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Prospected; present participle & verbal noun Prospecting
Definitions
  1. To look over; to explore or examine for something; as, to prospect a district for gold.
Pros"pect intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make a search; to seek; to explore, as for mines or the like; as, to prospect for gold.

Webster 1913