forecast

American  

[fawr-kast, -kahst, fohr-] / ˈfɔrˌkæst, -ˌkɑst, ˈfoʊr- /

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

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Related Words

See predict.

Other Word Forms

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

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.

Example Sentences

March’s 5.0% rise in German manufacturing orders followed a 1.4% climb in February, exceeding economists’ 1.0% forecast.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Lee also has made some wrongheaded and bold calls on crypto, such as a forecast that bitcoin could “easily get to $200,000” by the end of 2025, and top $1 million in a few years.

From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026

For 2026, Rheinmetall said that it continues to forecast an increase in sales of between 14 billion and 14.5 billion euros, and an operating margin of around 19%.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Analysts surveyed by FactSet had forecast revenue of $618.3 million.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

The adults begin some chitchat about the weather forecast, and I let my eyes meet Peeta's.

From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

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