future-proof

See also: futureproof and future proof

English

Alternative forms

• future proof, futureproof

Etymology

future +‎ -proof

Adjective

future-proof (comparative more future-proof, superlative most future-proof)

1. Capable of surviving changes made in the future; not liable to become outdated.

   Videos recorded at a higher resolution are more future-proof since they can be viewed with more detail on higher resolution screens that one might own in future.

   • 2019 May 30, Jack Schofield, “Can I buy a future-proof laptop to last 10 years?”, in The Guardian‎^[1]:

     It’s not easy to buy a future-proof laptop because the industry is moving in the opposite direction.

Verb

future-proof (third-person singular simple present future-proofs, present participle future-proofing, simple past and past participle future-proofed)

1. (transitive) To make ready to meet potential future requirements, or make use of potential future opportunities.
   • 2009 May 8, Rik Fairlie, “How Will You Future-Proof Your Photos?”, in New York Times Gadgetwise Blog‎^[2], retrieved 2021-07-16:

     While today’s most common image type, JPEG, had a few defenders, many believe it’s not a good candidate for future-proofing images because it is a “lossy” format.

   • 2011, Lynda Gratton, The Shift: The Future of Work is Already Here, HarperCollins Publishers, →ISBN, page 17:

     It is written to support you as you develop your own point of view about the future—and your own path to creating a future-proofed working life.

   • 2014 April 11, “Future-proof UK coastal areas against rising sea levels, says National Trust”, in The Guardian‎^[3]:

     A clear national strategy is "urgently needed" to help future-proof coastal areas from rising sea levels and extreme weather, according to a report published by the National Trust on Friday.

   • 2021 June 24, Jess Cartner-Morley, quoting Marie Leblanc, “Victoria Beckham cuts dress prices to ‘future-proof’ fashion brand”, in The Guardian‎^[4], retrieved 2021-07-16:

     Marie Leblanc, the CEO of the label, said the changes were necessary to “future-proof” the brand, which has yet to turn a profit despite being one of the most high-profile names in British fashion for the past decade.

   • 2023 March 8, Gareth Dennis, “The Reshaping of things to come...”, in RAIL, number 978, page 48:

     Beeching is more disparaging about suburban services beyond the capital, and I think here lies one of the most critical shortcomings in his analysis. By not considering the potential for these cities to grow, both on their own merits and in response to London's limitations, he failed to future-proof these types of service, limiting them in favour of long-distance services.

See also

• forward compatible

Further reading

• “future-proof”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.