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

“Jalen’s prognosis is very good, and we expect a full recovery,” the joint statement said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

"For a generally healthy person, the prognosis for lung cancer caught at such an early stage -- specifically a pulmonary nodule with no distant spread -- is absolutely favourable," he said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026

An aneasthesiologist advising Pike's defence team said her survival is highly unusual, and while her prognosis remains unclear, "at a minimum, we expect a long recovery".

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

Pike’s prognosis is still unclear and her recovery will be a long one, the attorneys said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

The initial prognosis was that he had broken some ribs, but he got up after several minutes.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

She said women from those groups were generally diagnosed at a later date as a result, leading to more invasive treatment and worse prognoses.

From BBC ● Dec. 4, 2024

"It's possible that suppressing lineage plasticity can improve prognoses," Fuchs says.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 7, 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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