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)reforecast, reforecasted, reforecasting
• unforecast adjective
• unforecasted adjective

Etymology

Origin of forecast

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

Example Sentences

Terry Haines, founder of Pangaea Policy, an analysis and forecasting firm, called the Washington-Delhi deal "an answer to those thinking the EU is flanking or gaining speed on the US on trade."

From BBC

Watching the market’s reaction to a series of statements, benchmarks, forecasts, and spending targets tied to the AI investment boom feels similarly unpredictable—though far less funny.

From Barron's

Watching the market’s reaction to a series of statements, benchmarks, forecasts, and spending targets tied to the AI investment boom feels similarly unpredictable—though far less funny.

From Barron's

A warming trend is forecast to move across the Southeast starting Tuesday, producing warmer than usual temperatures for the region.

From The Wall Street Journal

JPMorgan raised its year-end forecast, saying it expects the yellow metal to reach $6,300 a troy ounce as the longer-term investment case remains intact, supported by structural diversification into real assets.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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