1 (the future) [sing.] the time that will come after the present or the events that will happen then:
We need to plan for the future. * What will the cities of the future look like? * The movie is set in the future. * The exchange rate is likely to fall in the near future (= soon). * She will not be well enough to work in the foreseeable future (= during the period of time when you know what is going to happen). * What does the future hold?
2 [C] what will happen to sb/sth at a later time:
Her future is uncertain. * This deal could safeguard the futures of the 2000 employees. * Recent events throw doubt on the president's political future.
3 [sing.,U] the possibility of being successful or surviving at a later time:
She has a great future ahead of her. * I can't see any future in this relationship.
4 (futures) [pl.] (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
5 (the future) [sing.] (grammar) (also the future tense) the form of a verb that expresses what will happen after the present
IDIOMS
in future (BrE) (AmE in the future) from now on:
Please be more careful in future. * In future, make sure the door is never left unlocked.
moreatDISTANT, FORESEEABLE
adjective [onlybeforenoun] taking place or existing at a time after the present:
future generations * at a future date * future developments in computer software * He met his future wife at law school.
