prognosis

American  

[prog-noh-sis] / prɒgˈnoʊ sɪs /

noun

plural

prognoses

1. Medicine/Medical. a forecasting of the probable course and outcome of a disease, especially of the chances of recovery.

2. a forecast or prognostication.

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prognosis British  

/ prɒɡˈnəʊsɪs /

noun

1. med

   1. a prediction of the course or outcome of a disease or disorder

   2. the chances of recovery from a disease

2. any forecast or prediction

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prognosis Cultural  

1. A medical prediction of the future course of a disease and the chance for recovery.

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Discover More

Prognosis is often used as a general term for predicting the unfolding of events: “The governor said that the prognosis for the state's financial future is bleak.”

Etymology

Origin of prognosis

First recorded in 1645–55; from Late Latin, from Greek prógnōsis “foreknowledge” pro- ², gnosis

Example Sentences

Hospice provides care for people with terminal illnesses with a prognosis of six months or less.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis, with only about 10% of patients living longer than five years after diagnosis.

From Science Daily • Mar. 23, 2026

"Maya has endured multiple emergency brain surgeries, other life-saving medical procedures, and severe infection. Slowly, Maya is stabilizing, but her long-term prognosis is unknown," the statement said.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

Kutler had her final chemo session last Friday, and doctors say her health prognosis is good.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

Living in the twenty-first century gives a person a much better prognosis for treatment, but sometimes I wish I’d lived in an age before technology.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• diagnosis
• prediction
• prognostication
• projection