futurity

noun

fu·tu·ri·ty | \ fyü-ˈtu̇r-ə-tē

, -ˈtyu̇r-, -ˈchu̇r-

plural futurities

Definition of futurity

1 : time to come : future

2 : the quality or state of being future

3 futurities plural : future events or prospects

4a : a horse race usually for two-year-olds in which the competitors are nominated at birth or before

b : a race or competition for which entries are made well in advance of the event

Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about futurity

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Synonyms & Antonyms for futurity

Synonyms

by-and-by, future, hereafter, offing, tomorrow

Antonyms

past

Did You Know?

Futurity is a forward-looking word with a literate past. Its first known use is in Shakespeare's Othello, when the downtrodden Cassio, mystified about why Othello has turned against him, beseeches Desdemona to tell him whether his "offense be of such mortal kind / That nor my service past, nor present sorrows, / Nor purpos'd merit in futurity / Can ransom me into his love again." The term was also used by Benjamin Franklin ("I must one of these days go back to see him . . . but futurities are uncertain"), and Sir Walter Scott wrote of events "still in the womb of futurity" (that is, events that hadn't happened yet). Today, "futurity" often refers to a race, usually for two-year-old horses, in which the competitors are entered at birth or before, or to a race or competition for which entries are made well in advance of the event.

Examples of futurity in a Sentence

In English we can express futurity with “will” and “shall.” we can scarcely imagine what observers in some remote futurity will think of civilization as it existed at the dawn of the 21st century

Recent Examples on the Web

Reliance Ranches will be represented by three horses in the 300-yard futurity headed by fastest qualifier SC Money Maker. — John Cherwa, latimes.com, "Racing! Jon White’s final Preakness rankings," 18 May 2018 During Baffert's time as a quarter-horse trainer, a horse generally would have to qualify for a futurity or derby one week earlier. — John Cherwa, latimes.com, "Racing! Jon White’s final Preakness rankings," 18 May 2018 The colt won a pair of futurities last year and has earned $580,750. — John Cherwa, latimes.com, "Racing! Jon White’s top 10 Kentucky Derby list is front and center," 30 Mar. 2018 At Lee won twice at Ellis Park and finished second in the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes and Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity as a 2-year-old. — AL.com, "2017 Belmont Stakes: Look over the horses in Saturday's race," 10 June 2017 At Lee won twice at Ellis Park and finished second in the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes and Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity as a 2-year-old. — AL.com, "2017 Belmont Stakes: Look over the horses in Saturday's race," 10 June 2017 At Lee won twice at Ellis Park and finished second in the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes and Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity as a 2-year-old. — AL.com, "2017 Belmont Stakes: Look over the horses in Saturday's race," 10 June 2017 At Lee won twice at Ellis Park and finished second in the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes and Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity as a 2-year-old. — AL.com, "2017 Belmont Stakes: Look over the horses in Saturday's race," 10 June 2017 At Lee won twice at Ellis Park and finished second in the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes and Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity as a 2-year-old. — AL.com, "2017 Belmont Stakes: Look over the horses in Saturday's race," 10 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'futurity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for futurity

futurity

noun

English Language Learners Definition of futurity

formal : the quality of being or happening in the future

See the full definition for futurity in the English Language Learners Dictionary

futurity

Definition of futurity

Synonyms & Antonyms for futurity

Did You Know?

Examples of futurity in a Sentence

First Known Use of futurity

English Language Learners Definition of futurity

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