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 upshot is the Fed is likely to boost liquidity—the firm is forecasting it will purchase $25 billion in Treasuries a month beginning in April.

Read more on Barron's

They are instead forecasting a more modest quarter-point reduction, with policymakers likely to leave the door open to more cuts, especially if there is a shock to the global economy in the near future.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The national data agency offered no details with its forecast for last month, which was based on responses from roughly 54% of retailers surveyed and will be revised.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The brokerage also lifts its fiscal 2026-2028 earnings per share estimate by 2%-3%, on stronger AI PC shipments and higher services and solutions revenue forecasts.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Elastic raised its forecast for full-year revenue, but its call implied growth in cloud will decelerate further in the third quarter, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Thomas Blakey said in a research note.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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