- prospect
- ♦♦prospects, prospecting, prospected(The noun is pronounced [[t]prɒ̱spekt, AM prɑ͟ː-[/t]]u>. The verb is pronounced [[t]prəspe̱kt, AM prɑ͟ːspekt[/t]]u> and is hyphenated pro+spect.)1) N-VAR: with supp, oft N of n/-ing If there is some prospect of something happening, there is a possibility that it will happen.
Unfortunately, there is little prospect of seeing these big questions answered...
The prospects for peace in the country's eight-year civil war are becoming brighter...
There is a real prospect that the bill will be defeated in parliament.
Syn:2) N-SING: usu with supp, oft N of n/-ing A particular prospect is something that you expect or know is going to happen.They now face the prospect of having to wear a cycling helmet by law...
After supper he'd put his feet up and read. It was a pleasant prospect.
3) N-PLURAL: usu supp N Someone's prospects are their chances of being successful, especially in their career.I chose to work abroad to improve my career prospects.
...a detailed review of the company's prospects.
4) VERB When people prospect for oil, gold, or some other valuable substance, they look for it in the ground or under the sea.[V for n] He had prospected for minerals everywhere from the Gobi Desert to the Transvaal...
In fact, the oil companies are already prospecting not far from here.
Derived words:prospecting N-UNCOUNTHe was involved in oil, zinc and lead prospecting.
prospector plural N-COUNTThe discovery of gold and silver had brought a flood of prospectors into the Arizona and New Mexico Territories.
English dictionary. 2008.
