outlook
Americannoun
-
the view or prospect from a particular place.
- Synonyms:
- scene
-
mental attitude or view; point of view.
one's outlook on life.
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prospect of the future.
the political outlook.
- Synonyms:
- scene
-
the place from which an observer looks out; lookout.
-
the act or state of looking out.
-
a watch kept; vigilance; lookout.
a careful outlook to prevent forest fires.
noun
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a mental attitude or point of view
-
the probable or expected condition or outcome of something
the weather outlook
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the view from a place
-
view or prospect
-
the act or state of looking out
Etymology
Origin of outlook
Explanation
The word outlook describes a belief about the future. Your outlook on the awful present situation might make your outlook for the future turn grim. The noun outlook can also mean the practice of looking out. A guard's outlook on the bank vault must stay watchful and attentive in case there's an attempted robbery. Your outlook on your first job out of college was one of promise and excitement. The word can also mean a characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will handle situations. A pessimistic outlook on life will make you see only the negative.
Vocabulary lists containing outlook
The Poet X
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Tears of a Tiger
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Little Rock Girl 1957
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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.
Shake Shack recently cut its outlook for the second quarter of 2026, citing a challenging consumer environment and intensifying competition.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
Jefferies analyst Brent Thill wrote in a note that while a new CEO could cause some near-term “disruption,” long-term investors may “reward bold strategic moves” that could improve the outlook for the company.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026
The outlook is supported by improving earnings visibility driven by AI adoption, accelerating supply-chain diversification and supportive government policies for the semiconductor and electrical and electronics industries, he says.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
However, much of this positive outlook now appears to be reflected in the share price, the analysts add.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
In one important respect the outlook is more encouraging than the situation regarding infectious disease at the turn of the century.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
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.
