Promising: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：showing potential (promising)

promising 🔊

/ˈprɒmɪsɪŋ/

adj.

Showing signs that something or someone will be successful in the future.

Promising definition illustrated by a teacher praising a student's excellent science project.

showing potential 🔊

➕

/ˈʃoʊɪŋ pəˈtɛnʃəl/

adj.

Describing someone or something that exhibits qualities indicating likely success in the future.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'promise' (to pledge), derived from Latin 'promittere' meaning 'to send forth'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a promise of good things to come; promising sounds like 'pro-missing' – a professional likely to achieve success.

📖 Example

The interviewer thought she was a promising candidate because of her relevant experience and positive attitude. 🔊 The interviewer thought she was a promising candidate because of her relevant experience and positive attitude.

🔗 Collocations

promising future – a future that looks likely to be successful

promising career – a career with good prospects

promising start – a beginning that indicates potential success

🔄 Synonyms

hopeful (adj.) – giving reason to expect good results

auspicious (adj.) – indicating future success

encouraging (adj.) – giving support or confidence

🚫 Antonyms

unpromising (adj.) – not showing signs of future success

bleak (adj.) – offering little or no hope

🌱 Derivatives

promise (n./v.) – a declaration or assurance that one will do something

promisingly (adv.) – in a manner that shows potential

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'promittere' (to send forth), referring to making a commitment. In modern English, it is commonly used in talent scouting, business forecasts, and academic evaluations to indicate potential for future success.