prospect

Something that may happen in the future, or the chance that it will happen.

• The prospect of a holiday cheered her up.
• There is little prospect of an agreement.
• Moving abroad is an exciting prospect.

How to use it: the prospect of something/doing something (He enjoyed the prospect of working with friends.)

Similar words: possibility, likelihood

Common phrases: prospect of something, exciting prospect, real prospect

Your chances of succeeding or improving your situation in the future.

• Her career prospects are excellent.
• Learning another language improved his job prospects.
• What are the prospects for young graduates?

How to use it: prospects for someone/something (The prospects for new graduates have improved.)

Similar words: chances, outlook

Common phrases: career prospect, job prospect, improve someone’s prospects

A person who is likely to become successful, especially in sport.

• The young striker is an exciting prospect.
• Coaches consider her a strong prospect for the national team.
• Several promising prospects joined the club.

How to use it: a prospect for something (He is a leading prospect for the Olympic team.)

Similar words: promising talent

Common phrases: young prospect, exciting prospect, promising prospect

Someone who may become a customer or employee.

• The sales team contacted several prospects.
• She invited a promising prospect to discuss the job.
• We need to turn these prospects into customers.

Similar words: potential customer, potential client, candidate

Common phrases: sales prospect, contact a prospect, qualified prospect

To search an area for valuable materials such as gold or oil.

• They prospect for gold in the hills.
• The company prospected for oil near the coast.
• Geologists are prospecting the valley for minerals.

How to use it: prospect for something (The team is prospecting for copper.); prospect somewhere for something (They prospected the area for gold.)

Similar words: explore, search

Common phrases: prospect for gold, prospect for oil, prospect an area

To search an area to find valuable metals or other materials in the ground.

• They prospect for gold here.
• The team prospected along the river.
• Have you ever prospected for silver?

How to use it: prospect for something (They prospected for copper in the hills.)

Similar words: explore

Common phrases: prospect for gold, prospect for minerals