future-proof
verbEtymology From future + -proof.
1
To make ready to meet potential future requirements, or make use of potential future opportunities.
- 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.2009 May 8, Rik Fairlie, “How Will You Future-Proof Your Photos?”, in New York Times Gadgetwise Blog, retrieved 16 Jul 2021:
- 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.2011, Lynda Gratton, The Shift: The Future of Work is Already Here, HarperCollins Publishers, →ISBN, page 17:
4 more examples
- 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.2014 April 11, “Future-proof UK coastal areas against rising sea levels, says National Trust”, in The Guardian:
- 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.2021 June 24, Jess Cartner-Morley, quoting Marie Leblanc, “Victoria Beckham cuts dress prices to ‘future-proof’ fashion brand”, in The Guardian, retrieved 16 Jul 2021:
- Dune holds up today, says writer Alastair Reynolds, when many science fiction novels of its era don’t, in part because Herbert future-proofed it, by setting his story 20,000-odd years ahead, after the “Butlerian Jihad” has replaced intelligent machines with human minds.2021 October 18, Alison Flood, “Dune: science fiction’s answer to Lord of the Rings”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
- 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.2023 March 8, Gareth Dennis, “The Reshaping of things to come...”, in RAIL, number 978, page 48:
- Related terms
- forward compatible, stand the test of time