WordGarden.iofuture
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /fjˈuːtʃə/
US
- /ˈfjutʃər/
Meanings
Noun
the time after the present
someone's or something's likely prospects or later success
Adjective
existing, happening, or planned for a later time
expressing later time in grammar
Beyond the definition
The future is the time that has not happened yet. It can mean tomorrow, next year, or a time far away. We use it when we talk about plans, hopes, worries, and guesses about what will happen later. Someone might save money for the future, worry about the future of a job, or wonder what the future will be like for their children. It often carries a sense of possibility, but also uncertainty, because no one knows exactly what is coming.
You can think of it as the part of life that is still unwritten. What we do today can affect what comes next, which is why people often connect the future with choice, change, and hope.
The word "future" refers to the time that is yet to come—everything that hasn't happened yet. It encompasses possibilities, potential outcomes, and the consequences of our present actions. We often use it when discussing plans, predictions, or hopes for what will occur. For example: "She's saving money for her future," or "Scientists are working on technologies that will shape the future."
The concept of "the future" can be near—like tomorrow or next week—or distant—decades or even centuries from now. We talk about future generations inheriting the world we leave behind, and future trends influencing how we live.
"Future" isn't always positive either. It can also refer to uncertain or potentially negative events: "The future of the company is in jeopardy," or "He worried about the future after losing his job."
In finance, "futures contracts" (or simply "futures") are agreements to buy or sell something at a specific price on a specified date in the future. In grammar, we use future tense forms (like "will go" or "is going to") to talk about actions that haven't happened yet.
But beyond these technical uses, "the future" carries a weight of anticipation and possibility. It is a canvas onto which we project our dreams, fears, and aspirations—a realm where anything is possible, but nothing is guaranteed. So while we can plan for the future, ultimately it remains an open question mark, waiting to be written.
Examples
- 1
Plans
What do you want to do in the future?
- 2
Family worries
She worries about her son's future.
- 3
Prediction
Nobody can predict the future.
- 4
Town economy
The future of the town depends on tourism.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Future generations
We need cleaner energy for future generations.
- 6
Keeping records
Keep this receipt for future reference.
- Phrasefor future reference
so you can check it again later
- 7
Relationship plans
They spent the evening talking about their future together.
- 8
Job security
After the merger, many workers were unsure about their future at the company.
- 9
Time period
The museum will stay closed for the foreseeable future.
- Phrasefor the foreseeable future
for as long as we can expect now
See also
Similar
- time to come
- time ahead
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- in the future
- near future
- foreseeable future
- bright future
Word family
- futurity
- futurism
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- futurenounadjective
Forms
- futurespluralnounadjective