forecast
Americanverb (used with object)
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to predict (a future condition or occurrence); calculate in advance.
to forecast a heavy snowfall; to forecast lower interest rates.
- Synonyms:
- anticipate, foretell
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to serve as a prediction of; foreshadow.
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to contrive or plan beforehand; prearrange.
- Synonyms:
- project
verb (used without object)
noun
-
a prediction, especially as to the weather.
-
a conjecture as to something in the future.
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the act, practice, or faculty of forecasting.
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Archaic. foresight in planning.
- Synonyms:
- prescience, forethought
verb
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to predict or calculate (weather, events, etc), in advance
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(tr) to serve as an early indication of
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(tr) to plan in advance
noun
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a statement of probable future weather conditions calculated from meteorological data
-
a prophecy or prediction
-
the practice or power of forecasting
Synonym Usage
See predict.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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forecastableadjective
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forecasternoun
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reforecastverb (used with object)
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unforecastadjective
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unforecastedadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have forecastperfect
-
has forecastperfect 3rd person singular
-
has forecastedperfect 3rd person singular
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have forecastedperfect
-
have been forecastingperfect progressive
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am forecastingprogressive 1st person singular
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are forecastingprogressive
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is forecastingprogressive 3rd person singular
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forecastssingular 3rd person
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has been forecastingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
forecastingparticiple
Past
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had forecastedperfect
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had forecastperfect
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were forecastingprogressive plural
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forecastsimple
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forecastedparticiple
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had been forecastingperfect progressive
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was forecastingprogressive singular
-
forecastedsimple
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forecastparticiple
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing forecast
Power Prefix: fore-
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Vocabulary from the Introduction to "Reality is Broken" by Jane McGonigal
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Physical Geography - Introductory
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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.
Eurozone inflation accelerated to 3.2% in May, with core inflation rising to 2.5%, likely prompting the ECB to raise its forecast Thursday.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
You can keep up to date with your latest BBC Weather forecast here.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Reduced immigration and lower fertility also played a role in the more grim forecast, as fewer people will pay into the Social Security program to support the benefits of retired Americans.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026
Management kept its adjusted earnings forecast unchanged at 30 cents to 34 cents a share.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
A memory, a present event, and a forecast all equally present.
From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck
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.
