forecast
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to predict (a future condition or occurrence); calculate in advance.
to forecast a heavy snowfall; to forecast lower interest rates.
- Synonyms:
- anticipate, foretell
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to serve as a prediction of; foreshadow.
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to contrive or plan beforehand; prearrange.
- Synonyms:
- project
verb (used without object)
noun
-
a prediction, especially as to the weather.
-
a conjecture as to something in the future.
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the act, practice, or faculty of forecasting.
-
Archaic. foresight in planning.
- Synonyms:
- prescience, forethought
verb
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to predict or calculate (weather, events, etc), in advance
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(tr) to serve as an early indication of
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(tr) to plan in advance
noun
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a statement of probable future weather conditions calculated from meteorological data
-
a prophecy or prediction
-
the practice or power of forecasting
Synonym Usage
See predict.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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forecastableadjective
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reforecastverb (used with object)
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forecasternoun
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unforecastedadjective
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unforecastadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have forecastedperfect
-
has forecastedperfect 3rd person singular
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has forecastperfect 3rd person singular
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have forecastperfect
-
is forecastingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
has been forecastingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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forecastssingular 3rd person
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am forecastingprogressive 1st person singular
-
have been forecastingperfect progressive
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forecastingparticiple
-
are forecastingprogressive
Past
-
had forecastperfect
-
had forecastedperfect
-
were forecastingprogressive plural
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was forecastingprogressive singular
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forecastsimple
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forecastedparticiple
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had been forecastingperfect progressive
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forecastedsimple
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forecastparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of forecast
First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English (verb) “to plan ahead of time”; see origin at fore-, cast ( def. )
Explanation
A forecast is a prediction of what will happen. If the weather forecast calls for sunny skies, consider leaving your umbrella at home. (But, since forecasts aren’t guaranteed to be right, don’t blame us if you get rained on.) While often used in the context of weather, forecast can also be used for other types of predictions such as those related to financial or political outcomes. Note that a forecast is typically a prediction made by experts. So, while a financial analyst might forecast fourth-quarter profits, your prediction about whether your friend will pay back the five dollars he owes you is more of a hunch than a forecast.
Vocabulary lists containing forecast
Power Prefix: fore-
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Vocabulary from the Introduction to "Reality is Broken" by Jane McGonigal
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Physical Geography - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The ski-resort operator said Monday it now expects net income of $128 million to $162 million for its current fiscal year, down from a prior forecast of $144 million to $190 million.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
Those with the greatest need would receive an extra allowance of cheap energy and are forecast to save an average of £140 a year, compared to £100 for the majority of households.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
Nomura cuts its 2026 headline inflation forecast to 5.5% from 6.1%, while still assuming that Brent crude oil prices average $98.4 per barrel.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
Economists forecast a 96.1 reading, little changed from the April figure.
From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026
He stopped talking and watched the weather forecast, focusing on any detail he could.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
