From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishfuturefu‧ture1 /ˈfjuːtʃə $ -ər/ ●●● S1 W1 adjective [only before noun] 1 FUTURElikely to happen or exist at a time after the present We are now more able to predict future patterns of climate change. We’ve been able to save this land from development and preserve it for future generations. the debate over the future development of the European Unionfuture wife/husband/son-in-law etc (=someone who will be your wife, husband, son-in-law etc)2 technicalSLG the form of a verb used for talking about things that are going to happen the future tense3 → for future reference
Examples from the Corpus
future• He's an extremely talented football player -- he could well be a future captain of England.• It was then that Milstead took the first steps toward a future career in law enforcement.• He can use stock motifs and patterns and superfluous work can be retained to cater for future demand.• But Fujisaki ruled that future earnings were an acceptable concept in the law.• The company is building apartment buildings for future employees.• It is our duty to preserve our culture for future generations.• In addition, various factors may interfere with development or future health.• The time and place for future meetings has not been revealed.• The miners then sell the gold at prevailing rates, and use the future output to pay back the central banks.• We're getting together to talk about future plans for the show.• Before the scandal erupted, Grieg was talked about as a future presidential candidate.• In future years some of you will regret the decision you have made today.future generations• Or a weapon to be used against future generations?• The antis say it's an atomic eyesore ... a dangerous heirloom to leave future generations.• This is self-explanatory and is needed for comparison purposes both between organizations and between the needs of present and future generations.• We in turn modify the field for our future generations.• We need your help to save the past for future generations.• Many fascinating sites and buildings would otherwise be lost for present and future generations to enjoy.• You will play your part in helping to preserve a distinctive beer style for future generations to enjoy.• It is a cautionary tale for future generations, told well.futurefuture2 ●●● S1 W1 noun 1 → the future2 [countable]FUTURE what someone or something will do or what will happen to them in the future The islands should have the right to decide their own future.future of Ferguson is optimistic about the future of the business. a leader who will shape the organization’s future 3 → in future4 → have a/no future5 → there’s a/no future in something6 → futuresCOLLOCATIONS – Meanings 1 & 2verbspredict the future (=say what will happen in the future)No-one can predict the future of boxing.foretell the future (=say or show what will happen in the future)Some people think that dreams can foretell the future.see/look into the future (=know what will happen in the future)I wish I could see into the future.look to the future (=think about or plan for the future)She could now look to the future with confidence.plan for the future (also make plans for the future) (=think carefully about the future and decide what you are going to do)As soon as she knew she was pregnant, she started to plan for the future.face a bleak/grim etc futureMany pensioners face a bleak future.shape somebody's futureYour boss is the one who writes your evaluations, recommends you for promotions and shapes your future.somebody’s/something’s future lies in/with something (=it is in a particular thing)The country’s economic future lies with its skilled workforce.the future looks good/bright etcThe future looks good for the company.adjectivesgreat/goodThe country has a great future.bright/promising (=showing signs of being successful)Her future as a tennis player looks promising.uncertain (=not clear or decided)The college's future is now uncertain.bleak/grim/dark (=without anything to make you feel hopeful)The theatre is losing money and its future looks bleak.phrasesthe immediate future (=very soon)There will be no major changes in the immediate future.the near future (=soon)A new product launch is planned for the near future.the distant future (=a long time from now)I don't worry about what might happen in the distant future.the dim and distant future (=a very long time from now)He plans to get married in the dim and distant future.for/in the foreseeable future (=as far into the future as you can possibly know)The population is expected to keep growing for the foreseeable future.in the not too distant future (=quite soon)We’re planning to go there again in the not too distant future.somebody’s hopes/fears/plans for the futureWhat are your hopes for the future?somebody’s worries/concerns about the futuretheir worries about the future of the English countrysidewhat the future holds (=what will happen)He is worried about what the future holds for the company.THESAURUSthe time after nowthe future the time after nowWhat will life be like in the future?The company is hoping to expand in the near future (=soon).from now on used when saying that something will always happen in the future, starting from nowFrom now on, I’m not letting anyone borrow my car.The meetings will be held once a month from now on.From now on, you will have to make your own lunch.From now on, homeowners will have to get a city permit if they want to build an addition onto their homes.years/days etc to come for a long time in the futureIn years to come, people will look back on the 20th century as a turning point in history.Nuclear power stations will still be needed for a long time to come.in the long/short/medium term use this to talk about what will happen over a period from now until a long, short etc time in the futureWe don’t know what will happen in the long term.In the short term, things look good. Aid to these countries is bound to run into billions of dollars in the long term.on the horizon used when talking about what is likely to happen in the futureThere are some big changes on the horizon.what will happen to somebody/somethingsomebody’s/something’s future what will happen to someone or somethingHe knew that his future was in films.Shareholders will meet to decide the company’s future.fate someone or something’s future – used especially when you are worried that something bad could happenThe fate of the hostages remains uncertain.The show’s fate lies in the hands of TV bosses. destiny what will happen to someone in their life, especially something importantSartre believed that everyone is in charge of their own destiny.He thinks that it is his destiny to lead the country.the outlook what will happen, especially concerning business, the economy, or the weatherThe economic outlook looks good.Here is the weather outlook for tomorrow.prospect the idea or possibility that something will happenthe awful prospect of another terrorist attack Prospects for a peace settlement don’t look too good.fortune what will happen to a person, organization etc in the future – used especially when talking about whether or not they will be successfulFans are hoping for a change in the club’s fortunes.Two years ago, my financial fortunes took a turn for the better (=they improved).In 1680 he decided that his fortune lay in the theatre.Examples from the Corpus
future• But the goals of a better future for children have proved elusive.• Gabby assured me that she is confident about her future.• I'd like to discuss my future in the company.• It seems unlikely that this will occur in the near future.• I have never flown in a tail dragger before but I would like to in the near future.• Myles is optimistic about the future of electric cars.• And there always is the possibility that lawmakers will look with favor on real estate interests in the future.• At issue is the future of six U.S. military bases.• One of the main issues today is the future of young people.• He accepts her porno past but demands from her a virtuous future.Origin future1 (1300-1400) Old French futur, from Latin futurus “going to be” 