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.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook for 2026 showed that 73% of employers screened candidates by GPA in 2019 — but this year only 42% did.
From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026
The Philly Fed’s monthly Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey showed its headline index falling to -0.4 this month, from 26.7 in April.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
Morgan Private Bank published its Mid-Year Outlook on May 11, focusing on the investment implications of global fragmentation, sticky inflation, and the AI supercycle.
From Barron's • May 15, 2026
In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF cut its estimate for UK growth this year to 0.8%.
From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026
If I were to shake my Magic 8 Ball, I can almost guarantee that it would tell me, Outlook not so good.
From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy
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.
