Meaning & use
future proof
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Designed or made in a way that will continue to work well even when conditions or technology change in the future.
Grammar: Can be used before a noun (a future-proof design) or after a linking verb (the design is future-proof). Comparative: more future-proof.
Patterns
- future-proof design
- future-proof technology
- make something future-proof
- future-proof against something
They chose a future-proof computer system that can be upgraded easily.
The building was designed to be future-proof against climate change.
Investing in education is a future-proof strategy.
verbtransitive
To make something able to continue working or being useful as things change in the future.
Grammar: Takes an object: future-proof your business. Often used with 'against' to say what you are protecting from.
Patterns
- future-proof something
- future-proof something against something
We need to future-proof our software against new security threats.
The company is future-proofing its workforce by offering training.
They future-proofed the house by installing solar panels.
Word forms
| comparative | more future-proof |
|---|---|
| superlative | most future-proof |
| third person singular | future-proofs |
| past tense | future-proofed |
| past participle | future-proofed |
| -ing form | future-proofing |
Common combinations
- future-proof design
- The new phone has a future-proof design.
- future-proof against
- We future-proofed our savings against inflation.
- make something future-proof
- They made the data center future-proof.
Synonyms and how they differ
- sustainable
- Sustainable means able to continue over time without damaging resources; future-proof focuses on staying useful despite change.
- adaptable
- Adaptable means able to change to fit new conditions; future-proof means already designed to handle future changes.
Opposites
Word family
- future-proofing noun
- The act of making something future-proof.
Practice
The company wants to ______ its computer systems so they won't become outdated.
Choose one answer.
After 'to' we need the base form of the verb: 'to future-proof'. 'Future-proofed' is past tense, 'future-proofing' is the -ing form, and 'future-proofs' is third person singular — none fit after 'to'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “future proof”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.