future

noun (TIME TO COME)

/ˈfjuː.tʃər/

/-tʃɚ/

Definition

the future [S] B1 a period of time that is to come: Sometimes I worry about the future. I wonder what the future holds for (= what will happen to) you and me. I'm sure at some point in the future I'll want a baby. We need to plan for the future. Do you plan to leave London in the distant future or the near future? I can see those two getting married in the not too distant future (= quite soon).In the future and soon A2 in grammar, the form of a verb that you use when talking about something that will happen or exist: In the sentence 'Who will look after the dog?' the verb phrase 'will look' is in the future.Verb forms, tenses and types of verbs C2 [C] what will happen to someone or something in the time that is to come: Torn apart by war, its economy virtually destroyed, this country now faces a very uncertain future. She's a very talented young singer, Mike, and I personally think she's got a great future ahead of her! The future isn't looking too rosy for these companies.In the future and soon B1 [S or U] the chance of continuing success or existence for something: With falling audiences, the future of this theatre is in doubt.Success and achievementsHigher and lower points of achievementFailures in future mainly UK (US usually in the future) B1 used at the beginning or end of a sentence in which there is a decision about a plan of action or a warning: Could you be more careful in future? In future I won't bother asking him out anywhere if he's just going to complain that he's bored! In future I'm going to check every single piece of work that you do!Starting from a particular time

(Definition of future noun (TIME TO COME) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

Browse related topics

You are looking at an entry to do with Linguistics: verb forms, tenses & types of verbs, but you might be interested in these topics from the Language topic area: