forecast
Americanverb (used with object)
-
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.
-
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.
-
the act, practice, or faculty of forecasting.
-
Archaic. foresight in planning.
- Synonyms:
- prescience, forethought
verb
-
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
-
reforecastverb (used with object)
-
forecasternoun
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unforecastedadjective
-
unforecastadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have forecastedperfect
-
has forecastedperfect 3rd person singular
-
has forecastperfect 3rd person singular
-
have forecastperfect
-
is forecastingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
has been forecastingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
forecastssingular 3rd person
-
am forecastingprogressive 1st person singular
-
have been forecastingperfect progressive
-
forecastingparticiple
-
are forecastingprogressive
Past
-
had forecastperfect
-
had forecastedperfect
-
were forecastingprogressive plural
-
was forecastingprogressive singular
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forecastsimple
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forecastedparticiple
-
had been forecastingperfect progressive
-
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.
Organisers said cancelling the last day of the show, which started on Tuesday, was with "great regret", following a "thorough assessment of forecast weather conditions".
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
Importantly, hourly earnings came in exactly on forecast — no acceleration at all.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026
Dry weather is forecast for Sunday, when England will surely complete a win to begin their post-Ashes rebuild on a positive note.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
The consensus forecast calls for a 4.2% year-over-year rise.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
“Proper scorcher we're in for, today's forecast says.”
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
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.
