prospective

Prospective is an adjective that describes something expected to happen or be true in the future, or relating to the consideration of future possibilities. It implies potential or likelihood rather than certainty. The term derives from Latin prospicere, meaning to look forward, and is used to distinguish future-oriented considerations from those tied to the past.

In common usage, prospective appears in phrases such as prospective students, prospective buyers, or prospective markets, where the subject is anticipated to participate in a future event or transaction. It is also used in planning and forecasting to denote forward-looking assessments.

In research, a prospective study refers to a design in which participants are followed forward in time from a defined starting point to observe outcomes. This is contrasted with retrospective studies that analyze data collected in the past.

In legal and business contexts, prospective describes potential or forthcoming relationships or obligations, such as a prospective employee or a prospective liability. Prospective analyses evaluate different future scenarios to inform decision-making.

Because the future is inherently uncertain, statements labeled prospective express probability rather than guarantee, and they depend on current information, assumptions, and the external environment.