Meaning 1neutral · 88%
prospective or expected to hold a role or relationship in the future
Natural examples
Beim Essen lernte ich meinen Schwager in spe kennen.
Die Präsidentin in spe stellte ihr Programm vor.
Der Doktor in spe verteidigt nächste Woche seine Dissertation.
Usage note
A learned, often slightly playful expression from Latin meaning “prospective” or “future”. In German it usually follows a noun and is invariable.
Useful combinations
Schwiegersohn in spe — prospective son-in-law