prospect

/ˈprɒspekt/
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A way of looking ahead, whether toward possible events, chances of success, promising candidates, wide views, or searches for resources and customers.

Examples

  • The terrace gives a fine prospect over the river.
  • The agency prospects for new clients every month.
  • The old house enjoyed a southern prospect toward the sea.
  • There is little prospect of an agreement this week.
  • She spent the morning prospecting on LinkedIn.

Similar words

vista
investigate
promise
inspect
possibility
panorama
lead
explore
opportunity
view

Meanings

Future possibility or outlook

noun
everyday
neutral
A possible future event, or the chances that something will succeed, improve, or happen.

Examples

  • The prospect of a long delay made everyone restless.
  • Her job prospects improved after the training course.
  • There is little prospect of an agreement this week.
  • They moved abroad for better economic prospects.
  • The prospect of working from home appealed to him.

Similar words

Promising candidate or lead

noun
business
neutral
A person, organization, project, or place regarded as likely to succeed, be chosen, become a customer, or yield value.

Examples

  • The sales team added three new prospects to the pipeline.
  • She is one of the country's brightest medal prospects.
  • The recruiter interviewed two promising prospects.
  • A surface sample turned the hillside into a mining prospect.
  • The startup looked like a strong investment prospect.

Similar words

Wide scenic view

noun
landscape
formal
A broad view of land, water, or a city, usually seen from a raised or open place.

Examples

  • The terrace gives a fine prospect over the river.
  • From the ridge, the prospect of the valley was clear and wide.
  • The old house enjoyed a southern prospect toward the sea.
  • Mist hid the prospect beyond the church tower.
  • The painting shows a calm prospect of fields and distant hills.

Similar words

Search for mineral deposits

verb
mining
neutral
To explore land or rock in order to find gold, oil, minerals, or other valuable natural resources.

Examples

  • The company will prospect for lithium in the desert.
  • They prospected the river valley for gold.
  • Geologists are prospecting near the old mine.
  • The crew used soil samples to prospect the area.
  • Many families moved west to prospect for silver.

Similar words

Seek possible customers

verb
business
neutral
To search for and approach people or organizations that might become customers, clients, donors, or partners.

Examples

  • The agency prospects for new clients every month.
  • She spent the morning prospecting on LinkedIn.
  • The team prospected carefully before sending sales emails.
  • Good salespeople prospect before they pitch.
  • They prospect in a narrow market of hospital suppliers.

Similar words

Etymology

From Latin prospectus, meaning a view or outlook, from prospicere, to look forward or look out.

FAQ

What does prospect mean?

Prospect can mean a future possibility, someone's chances of success, a promising candidate or sales lead, a wide view, or the act of searching.

Is prospect a noun or a verb?

Prospect is both. As a noun it often means a possibility, lead, or view. As a verb it means to search for minerals or possible customers.

What does prospect mean in sales?

In sales, a prospect is a possible customer, and to prospect means to look for and approach such customers.

What is the difference between prospect and perspective?

Prospect means a possibility, lead, or view. Perspective means a point of view or a way of seeing something.

What is the origin of prospect?

It comes from Latin prospectus, meaning a view or outlook, from a verb meaning to look forward or look out.

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