outlook

American  

[out-look] / ˈaʊtˌlʊk /

noun

outlooks plural

1. the view or prospect from a particular place.

   Synonyms:

   scene

2. mental attitude or view; point of view.

   one's outlook on life.

   Synonyms:

   approach, position, viewpoint, attitude

3. prospect of the future.

   the political outlook.

   Synonyms:

   scene

4. the place from which an observer looks out; lookout.

5. the act or state of looking out.

6. a watch kept; vigilance; lookout.

   a careful outlook to prevent forest fires.

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outlook British  

/ ˈaʊtˌlʊk /

noun

1. a mental attitude or point of view

2. the probable or expected condition or outcome of something

   the weather outlook

3. the view from a place

4. view or prospect

5. the act or state of looking out

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• outlooks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of outlook

First recorded in 1660–70; out- + look

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

outlook outlooks

The central bank offered an updated outlook which predicts economic growth to ramp up markedly in the second quarter and remain in positive territory through 2028.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

Sources told the BBC that Burnham and Healey "have the same outlook" on many of the prime minister's priorities, including reindustrialisation, the cost-of-living, and driving growth across the country.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

Whereas during the third week of earnings, when the largest technology companies usually report, the S&P 500’s outlook for two years ahead climbs by almost 2% on average, Greenebaum said.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026

"There is an ecosystem that's conducive to the emergence of entrepreneurs like us. That strengthens our confidence in the outlook," said Yattabare, who now hopes to conquer the European market.

From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 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

After bingeing on software firms in 2020 and 2021, many private-equity firms are now stuck holding companies with worsening outlooks and rising debt loads.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

It aims to generate 10% annualized growth in Ebitda through 2030, one of the better outlooks in the sector.

From Barron's ● Jun. 26, 2026

Citi remains selective on South Korean stocks, preferring names with resilient earnings outlooks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026

A subrange of the Appalachian Mountains along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, the Smokies are known for hiking trails with waterfalls and scenic outlooks.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 11, 2026

In reality, I regularly observe in New Guinea that native societies there differ greatly from each other in their prevalent outlooks.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• chance
• expectation
• forecast
• opportunity
• possibility
• prospect
• risk