outlook
Americannoun
-
the view or prospect from a particular place.
- Synonyms:
- scene
-
mental attitude or view; point of view.
one's outlook on life.
-
prospect of the future.
the political outlook.
- Synonyms:
- scene
-
the place from which an observer looks out; lookout.
-
the act or state of looking out.
-
a watch kept; vigilance; lookout.
a careful outlook to prevent forest fires.
noun
-
a mental attitude or point of view
-
the probable or expected condition or outcome of something
the weather outlook
-
the view from a place
-
view or prospect
-
the act or state of looking out
Etymology
Origin of outlook
Explanation
The word outlook describes a belief about the future. Your outlook on the awful present situation might make your outlook for the future turn grim. The noun outlook can also mean the practice of looking out. A guard's outlook on the bank vault must stay watchful and attentive in case there's an attempted robbery. Your outlook on your first job out of college was one of promise and excitement. The word can also mean a characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will handle situations. A pessimistic outlook on life will make you see only the negative.
Vocabulary lists containing outlook
The Poet X
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Tears of a Tiger
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Little Rock Girl 1957
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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.
Despite the overall labor market looking a bit stronger in recent months, the employment outlook for teenagers remains challenging.
From Barron's • May 25, 2026
Given a more moderate earnings outlook and lower dividend yield, the company’s stock appears fairly priced at 7X 2026 PE.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026
But a new exhibition is providing a different outlook on the decade, with just one fleeting reference to the Troubles.
From BBC • May 24, 2026
The six-to-12 month outlook for financial markets is deteriorating as inventories fall, inflation risks rise and higher capital costs become more relevant for the AI capital expenditure boom.
From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026
‘Yes, whichever side wins, his outlook is poor,’ said Merry.
From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien
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.
