futurist

/ˌfjutʃəˈrʌst/

Other forms: futurists

A futurist is someone who studies and predicts events in the future. A futurist might predict, based on past and current trends, which brands of cars will be most popular in 30 years.

There are many different kinds of futurists, from scientists who forecast the future effects of climate change to marketers who try to anticipate what teenagers will be desperate to spend money on in five years. All futurists have in common a focus on the future — and sociologists who are futurists call their field futurology. The earliest definition of futurism referred to the early 20th century art movement known as futurism.

Definitions of futurist

1. noun

   someone who predicts the future
   synonyms: fantast

   type of:

   illusionist, seer, visionary

   a person with unusual powers of foresight
2. noun

   a theologian who believes that the Scripture prophecies of the Apocalypse (the Book of Revelation) will be fulfilled in the future
   type of:

   theologian, theologiser, theologist, theologizer

   someone who is learned in theology or who speculates about theology
3. adjective

   of or relating to futurism
   “futurist art”

   synonyms: futuristic