might-be
Could turn out
A might-be is something or someone that could potentially exist or occur but hasn't yet materialized—a possibility rather than a reality.
The term often carries a dismissive tone, suggesting something speculative or uncertain: He's just a might-be, not a proven talent.
Compare with has-been, which describes someone whose best days are past.
Likelihood of occurrence
- likelihoodChance something will occur
- probabilityQuantified chance of occurrence
- prospectPotential client or opportunity
- contingencyUncertain possible event
eventuality · plausibility · conceivability · option · scenario · feasibility · hope · risk
Guess from limited facts
- hypothesisTestable proposed explanation
- guessworkConclusions drawn without proof
- theorizingForming unproven explanations
- suppositionBelief without proof
assumption · presumption · surmise · prediction · projection · extrapolation · forecasting · what-if
Lack of firm belief
- ambiguityOpenness to multiple interpretations
- vaguenessAbsence of precision
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
- questionableOf uncertain validity
indefinite · unsure · undecided · unconfirmed · unsettled · unknown · unresolved · contingent
chance
Likelihood of occurrence
- likelihoodChance something will occur
- probabilityQuantified chance of occurrence
- prospectPotential client or opportunity
contingency · eventuality · plausibility · conceivability · option · scenario · feasibility · hope · risk · gamble
conjecture
Guess from limited facts
- hypothesisTestable proposed explanation
- guessworkConclusions drawn without proof
- theorizingForming unproven explanations
supposition · assumption · presumption · surmise · prediction · projection · extrapolation · forecasting · what-if · imagining
doubt
Lack of firm belief
- ambiguityOpenness to multiple interpretations
- vaguenessAbsence of precision
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
questionable · indefinite · unsure · undecided · unconfirmed · unsettled · unknown · unresolved · contingent · iffy
promise
Commitment to act
- capabilityPower to accomplish tasks
- capacityMaximum amount containable
- aptitudeInnate capability
talent · gift · ability · latent · dormant · unrealized · untapped · budding · emerging · nascent
dreams
Involuntary sleep visions
wishes · desires · intentions · plans · visions · fantasies · ideals · yearnings · longings · aspirations
might-becertainty
Total absence of doubt
sure thing · definite · known quantity · guaranteed · confirmed
might-behas-been
Former notable, now irrelevant
was · fait accompli · done deal · foregone conclusion · inevitable