prognosis

American  

[prog-noh-sis] / prɒgˈnoʊ sɪs /

noun

• prognoses
  plural

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.”

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• prognoses
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of prognosis

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

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Explanation

If you come down with an illness, you might ask your doctor what your prognosis is. A prognosis is a prediction about the course of a disease. Prognosis comes from the Greek pro- "before" and gnosis "knowledge." It means to know beforehand, but keep in mind that it is only a probable outcome and not a sure thing. Financial analysts frequently change their prognosis of the economy as they hear each piece of good or bad economic news. And if the weather prognosis is sunny and dry, but you see dark clouds forming, you would be wise to pack an umbrella.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

prognosis prognoses

For Bell, Ms. Fitzharris writes, “every patient was a text to be studied. Symptoms could divulge secrets, gestures could disclose clues” and minutiae help determine the prognosis of disease.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026

The long-term prognosis depends on a number of things, including the stage of the cancer when identified and the person's overall health.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

He stressed that treatment for lung cancer has improved considerably over the past few decades, "and the prognosis is better than ever. So I would be hopeful for a full recovery."

From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026

Others, however, are a bit skeptical of Nasser’s prognosis, arguing that the oil market may be able to recover a bit quicker.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 2026

“Though I was told his prognosis is not good.”

From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth

He said that while doctors could never be certain with prognoses, the six-month criteria would be a "yard stick" to ensure that people were in the final stages of life.

From BBC ● Feb. 4, 2026

The researchers envision a future when the germline genome is used to further stratify the 11 breast cancer subtypes identified by Curtis to guide treatment decisions and improve prognoses and monitoring for recurrence.

From Science Daily ● May 30, 2024

Through the long, wild ride, there were peaks and troughs, months of uncertainty, bailout talks, near-misses and dire prognoses.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 20, 2023

It’s an island of hope in a sea of dim prognoses for urban life.

From Slate ● Dec. 23, 2022

It had been Mrs. Richardson who had held her, Mrs. Richardson who had heard all the doctors’ prognoses, the dire warnings about what might be in store for her.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

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Related Words

• diagnosis
• prediction
• prognostication
• projection

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