adj
Common
promising
PRO-mih-sihng
Promising (adj) means Likely to turn out well or succeed; showing good early signs. Example: “The weather forecast looks promising, so we might have our picnic after all.”
adj
1
Likely to turn out well or succeed; showing good early signs.
"The weather forecast looks promising, so we might have our picnic after all."
"The early trial results look promising for the new vaccine."
"She's a promising young architect with a bright career ahead of her."
How to use promising
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShowing signs that something good will happen.
Common pairings
promising start
promising career
promising sign
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like promising.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- promisings
- Comparative
- more promising
- Superlative
- most promising
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The weather forecast looks _____, so we might have our picnic after all.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for promising
rising
raising
arising
devising
advising
bruising
cruising
uprising
praising
surprising
exercising
practising
See all rhymes for promising →
Frequently asked questions
What does “promising” mean?
The word “promising” means likely to turn out well or succeed; showing good early signs. In plain terms, showing signs that something good will happen.
How do you pronounce “promising”?
“Promising” is pronounced PRO-mih-sihng (/ˈpɹɑmɪsɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “promising” in a sentence?
Here is “promising” used in a sentence: “The early trial results look promising for the new vaccine.”
What is another word for “promising”?
Words with a similar meaning to “promising” include prosperous and rosy.
What part of speech is “promising”?
“Promising” is an adjective.
Is “promising” a common word?
“Promising” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "promising" and "hopeful"?
"Promising" describes the thing or person that shows good early signs ("a promising start"), based on visible evidence of likely success. "Hopeful" usually describes the person who feels or expresses hope, so a promising candidate can make voters feel hopeful.
What nouns commonly go with "promising"?
"Promising" often describes beginnings and potential, as in "a promising start," "a promising career," "a promising young player," and "promising results." It suggests success is likely but has not yet arrived.
Is "promising" always positive?
In its normal sense "promising" is a compliment, meaning likely to succeed or turn out well. It can sound faintly cautious, however, because it points to future potential rather than proven achievement.
