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Definition of future noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

future

noun
 
/ˈfjuːtʃə(r)/
 
/ˈfjuːtʃər/
Idioms
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  1. the future
    [singular] the time that will come after the present or the events that will happen then
    • We need to plan for the future.
    • in the future The movie is set in the future.
    • at some point/time in the future
    • I don't expect any of these things to happen in the near future (= soon).
    • Things will continue as they are for the foreseeable future.
    • the immediate/not-too-distant/long-term/distant future
    • Nobody can predict the future.
    • What does the future hold?
    • of the future What will the cities of the future look like?
    • Kevin talked about his hopes for the future.
    Extra Examples
    • Do you think that you will work together again at some point in the future?
    • All of us need to embrace the future.
    • Don't think too much about past troubles—look to the future.
    • In her speech, the director outlined her vision for the future.
    • The film offers a dark vision of the future.
    • Nothing will change for the indefinite future.
    • The possibility of travel to other solar systems still lies in the distant future.
    • The stars of the future are competing in the world junior athletics championships this month.
    • Trying to forecast the far future is a problematic exercise.
    • What are your plans for the future?
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • foreseeable
    • immediate
    • near
    verb + future
    • look to
    • plan for
    • foretell
    future + verb
    • bring (somebody)
    • hold
    preposition
    • for the future
    • in (the) future
    • of the future
    phrases
    • a vision for the future
    • a vision of the future
    See full entry
  2. [countable] what will happen to somebody/something at a later time
    • The company faces a very uncertain future.
    • We must seize the opportunity to shape our future.
    • This deal could secure the futures of 2  000 employees.
    • to decide/determine the future of somebody/something
    • Recent events throw doubt on the president’s political future.
    Extra Examples
    • After being dropped from the team the young defender is considering his future.
    • She decided to invest in her future by taking a course.
    • We want to create a better future for everyone.
    • You need to take time to plan your future.
    • the right to determine their own future in a democratic fashion
    • united by our common history and our shared future
    • He felt his entire future was at risk.
    • The sale secured his financial future.
    • A question mark hangs over the future of the company after shares plunged to a record low.
    • He forecasts a dire future for the industry.
    • It's your responsibility to safeguard your own financial future.
    • Her future is uncertain.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • bright
    • brilliant
    • exciting
    verb + future
    • face
    • have
    • create
    future + verb
    • await (somebody)
    preposition
    • future as
    • future in
    phrases
    • a question mark over the future of somebody/​something
    See full entry
  3. [singular, uncountable] the possibility of being successful or surviving at a later time
    • They have a bright future ahead of them.
    • I can't see any future in this relationship.
    • There's no future in mining in this country.
    • Children are the future of this country (= the country's future depends on children).
    Extra Examples
    • He could see no future in his job.
    • She has a very promising future as a musician.
    • She has a great future ahead of her.
    Topics Successb1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • bright
    • brilliant
    • exciting
    verb + future
    • face
    • have
    • create
    future + verb
    • await (somebody)
    preposition
    • future as
    • future in
    phrases
    • a question mark over the future of somebody/​something
    See full entry
  4. futures
    [plural] (finance) goods or shares that are bought at agreed prices but that will be delivered and paid for at a later time
    • oil futures
    • the futures market
    Topics Moneyc2
  5. the future
    [singular] (grammar)
    (also the future tense)
    the form of a verb that expresses what will happen after the presentTopics Languagea1
  6. Word Originlate Middle English: via Old French from Latin futurus, future participle of esse ‘be’ (from the stem fu-, ultimately from a base meaning ‘grow, become’).
Idioms
for/in the foreseeable future
  1. for/in the period of time when you can predict what is going to happen, based on the present circumstances
    • The statue will remain in the museum for the foreseeable future.
    • It's unlikely that the hospital will be closed in the foreseeable future (= soon).
in future (British English)
(North American English in the future)
  1. from now on
    • Please be more careful in future.
    • In future, make sure the door is never left unlocked.
    Extra Examples
    • In future, employees will park their vehicles away from the works entrance.
    • In future, please contact me first.
    Topics Timeb1
in the not too distant future
  1. not a long time in the future but fairly soon
    • I hope we’ll see each other again in the not too distant future.
    Extra Examples
    • In the not too distant future, we may witness the cloning of human beings.
    • We will be moving house in the not too distant future.
See future in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee future in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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noun
 
 
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