Ígéretes

Ígéretes is a Hungarian adjective meaning “promising” or “full of promise.” It is used to describe people, projects, ideas, or prospects that show potential for future success. The term conveys optimism about future outcomes without guaranteeing results.

Etymology and grammar: Ígéretes is formed from the noun ígéret, meaning “promise,” with the adjectival suffix -es. It expresses the sense of having the quality of a promise or offering favorable prospects. It follows regular Hungarian inflection: ígéretes, ígéretesebb (comparative), legígéretesebb (superlative).

Usage: The word is commonly paired with nouns such as ígéretes tehetség (a promising talent), ígéretes kezdeményezés (a promising initiative), or kilátások ígéretesek (the prospects are promising). It denotes potential and favorable expectations rather than certainty, and is frequent in journalism, business, education, and sports contexts.

Related terms and nuances: Synonyms include kecsegtető and reménykeltő; antonyms include reménytelen and kilátástalan. The expression remains versatile, capable of describing individuals, ideas, or ventures with notable early success indicators or prospects.

In English, the term is typically translated as “promising.” See also ígéret and other compounds built from ígéret to express related notions of expectation and potential.