future value

This term is a technical expression used primarily in finance, accounting, and investment analysis. It describes the nominal value of an asset at a specific point in time, assuming a certain rate of return. It is the mathematical opposite of present value, which discounts future sums back to their current worth.

In professional contexts, the term is used neutrally to describe a projection. It is rarely used in casual conversation unless discussing specific financial planning or loan repayments. Because it refers to a calculated projection, it often appears in reports alongside assumptions about inflation or interest rates.