forecast

[fawr-kast, -kahst, fohr-]

verb (used with object)

forecast, forecasted, forecasting. 

1. to predict (a future condition or occurrence); calculate in advance.

   to forecast a heavy snowfall; to forecast lower interest rates.

   Synonyms: anticipate, foretell

2. to serve as a prediction of; foreshadow.

3. to contrive or plan beforehand; prearrange.

   Synonyms: project

verb (used without object)

forecast, forecasted, forecasting. 

1. to conjecture beforehand; make a prediction.

   Synonyms: estimate, guess

2. to plan or arrange beforehand.

noun

1. a prediction, especially as to the weather.

2. a conjecture as to something in the future.

   Synonyms: estimate, guess

3. the act, practice, or faculty of forecasting.

4. Archaic.,  foresight in planning.

   Synonyms: prescience, forethought

forecast

/ ˈfɔːˌkɑːst /

verb

1. to predict or calculate (weather, events, etc), in advance

2. (tr) to serve as an early indication of

3. (tr) to plan in advance

noun

1. a statement of probable future weather conditions calculated from meteorological data

2. a prophecy or prediction

3. the practice or power of forecasting

Other Word Forms

• forecastable adjective
• forecaster noun
• reforecast verb (used with object) reforecast, reforecasted, reforecasting
• unforecast adjective
• unforecasted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of forecast¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English (verb) “to plan ahead of time”; fore-, cast ( def. )

Synonym Study

See predict.

Example Sentences

The central bank raised slightly its inflation forecasts for the first half of next year, but still expects inflation to return to its 3% target in the third quarter of 2026.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

On an adjusted basis—to strip out items including asset writedowns and restructuring costs—earnings rose to 40 cents a share, missing the 42 cents analysts polled by FactSet forecast.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Looking at more discretionary measures of loan health, banks also forecast what they expect in terms of loan losses and set aside an amount in advance of loans not being paid back.

Read more on MarketWatch

A Boston Federal Reserve study indicates the Beige Book improves short-term recession forecasts, especially for the next three months.

Read more on Barron's

Fiscal second-quarter adjusted earnings of 68 cents a share miss analysts’ forecasts.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• anticipate 
• augur 
• calculate 
• conclude 
• determine 
• estimate 
• foresee 
• foretell 
• gauge 
• portend