forecast

[fawr-kast, -kahst, fohr-]

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verb (used with object), fore·cast or fore·cast·ed, fore·cast·ing.

to predict (a future condition or occurrence); calculate in advance: to forecast a heavy snowfall; to forecast lower interest rates.

to serve as a prediction of; foreshadow.

to contrive or plan beforehand; prearrange.

verb (used without object), fore·cast or fore·cast·ed, fore·cast·ing.

to conjecture beforehand; make a prediction.

to plan or arrange beforehand.

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.

Origin of forecast

1350–1400; Middle English (noun) plan. See fore-, cast

Related formsfore·cast·a·ble, adjectivefore·cast·er, nounre·fore·cast, verb (used with object), re·fore·cast or re·fore·cast·ed, re·fore·cast·ing.un·fore·cast, adjectiveun·fore·cast·ed, adjective

Synonyms for forecast

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR forecast ON THESAURUS.COM

1. foretell, anticipate. 3. project. 4, 7. guess, estimate. 9. forethought, prescience.

Synonym study

1. See predict.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for forecaster

seer, astrologer, meteorologist, soothsayer, prophet, nostradamus

Examples from the Web for forecaster

Historical Examples of forecaster

"It might be safe, but I wouldn't advise it," answered the Forecaster.
The Boy with the U. S. Weather Men
Francis William Rolt-Wheeler
He started off up the levee, but the Forecaster called him back.
The Boy with the U. S. Weather Men
Francis William Rolt-Wheeler
The Forecaster checked his mule and let the boys come up to him.
The Boy with the U. S. Weather Men
Francis William Rolt-Wheeler
In spite of himself, the Forecaster's glance fell on the crutch.
The Boy with the U. S. Weather Men
Francis William Rolt-Wheeler
"Probably your lower kite is in gusts," the Forecaster answered.
The Boy with the U. S. Weather Men
Francis William Rolt-Wheeler

British Dictionary definitions for forecaster

forecast

verb -casts, -casting, -cast or -casted

to predict or calculate (weather, events, etc), in advance

(tr) to serve as an early indication of

(tr) to plan in advance

noun

a statement of probable future weather conditions calculated from meteorological data

a prophecy or prediction

the practice or power of forecasting

Derived Formsforecaster, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for forecaster

1630s, agent noun from forecast (v.).

forecast

late 14c., "to scheme," from fore- "before" + casten "contrive." Meaning "predict events" first attested late 15c. Related: Forecasted; forecasting.

forecast

early 15c., probably from forecast (v.); earliest sense was "forethought, prudence;" meaning "conjectured estimate of a future course" is from 1670s. A Middle English word for weather forecasting was aeromancy.