forecast
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to predict (a future condition or occurrence); calculate in advance.
to forecast a heavy snowfall; to forecast lower interest rates.
- Synonyms:
- anticipate, foretell
-
to serve as a prediction of; foreshadow.
-
to contrive or plan beforehand; prearrange.
- Synonyms:
- project
verb (used without object)
noun
-
a prediction, especially as to the weather.
-
a conjecture as to something in the future.
-
the act, practice, or faculty of forecasting.
-
Archaic. foresight in planning.
- Synonyms:
- prescience, forethought
verb
-
to predict or calculate (weather, events, etc), in advance
-
(tr) to serve as an early indication of
-
(tr) to plan in advance
noun
-
a statement of probable future weather conditions calculated from meteorological data
-
a prophecy or prediction
-
the practice or power of forecasting
Synonym Usage
See predict.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
forecasternoun
-
reforecastverb (used with object)
-
forecastableadjective
-
unforecastadjective
-
unforecastedadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
forecastsimple
-
forecastssimple
-
have forecastperfect
-
have forecastedperfect
-
has forecastperfect
-
has forecastedperfect
-
am forecastingprogressive
-
are forecastingprogressive
-
is forecastingprogressive
-
have been forecastingperfect progressive
-
has been forecastingperfect progressive
Past
-
forecastsimple
-
forecastedsimple
-
had forecastperfect
-
had forecastedperfect
-
was forecastingprogressive
-
were forecastingprogressive
-
had been forecastingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of forecast
First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English (verb) “to plan ahead of time”; see origin at fore-, cast ( def. )
Explanation
A forecast is a prediction of what will happen. If the weather forecast calls for sunny skies, consider leaving your umbrella at home. (But, since forecasts aren’t guaranteed to be right, don’t blame us if you get rained on.) While often used in the context of weather, forecast can also be used for other types of predictions such as those related to financial or political outcomes. Note that a forecast is typically a prediction made by experts. So, while a financial analyst might forecast fourth-quarter profits, your prediction about whether your friend will pay back the five dollars he owes you is more of a hunch than a forecast.
Vocabulary lists containing forecast
Power Prefix: fore-
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Vocabulary from the Introduction to "Reality is Broken" by Jane McGonigal
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Physical Geography - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
T-Mobile left most of its full-year guidance unchanged but made a slight increase to its forecast for adjusted free cash flow, which now calls for between $18.4 billion and $18.8 billion.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
Analysts had forecast 3.33 billion euros in sales, according to Visible Alpha.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
That forecast sees inflation overshooting the ECB's two-percent inflation target this year and next.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
Sales in the three months to June 27 grew 26% on year to $3.49 billion, above company guidance of about $3.45 billion and analysts’ forecast of $3.47 billion, according to Visible Alpha.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
He stopped talking and watched the weather forecast, focusing on any detail he could.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
BNY Mellon, Johnson & Johnson and software company ServiceNow are among those that have lifted their forecasts for the year.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
Net sales rose 20% to $12.09 billion, topping forecasts of a rise to $12.03 billion.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
The cell carrier also maintained its forecasts for profit and postpaid net account additions for the full year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
While keeping its call on Morgan Stanley as a hold, Martinez raised its earnings forecasts as the target price was adjusted from $190 to $215.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
The weather forecasts warned of possible tornadoes that day.
From "The Wild Robot Escapes" by Peter Brown
NATS, the UK's air traffic control service, said "weather disruption was expected to continue through the rest of the day" after "forecasted severe weather across the south east of England".
From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026
The company now anticipates spending between $125 billion and $145 billion in 2026, up from a forecasted range of $115 billion to $135 billion previously.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 5, 2026
Meta said when reporting first-quarter earnings on April 29 that its forecasted range for capex is $135 billion at the midpoint.
From Barron's ● May 27, 2026
Organic sales are forecasted to rise between 3% to 4%, with a 100-basis-point adjusted gross margin expansion.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 1, 2026
Because if I didn’t beat Elliot in this, he would go on to the next level of the Academy, and I’d be left behind, waiting for whatever awful future the letter forecasted to come true.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
Existing forecasting methods generally provide less advance notice because scientists must wait until the Sun reaches solar minimum, the quietest part of its cycle.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 21, 2026
He pointed out that data-driven forecasting models -- known as foundation models -- were already beating the traditional models, which use mathematical equations to simulate the complex processes taking place in the oceans and atmosphere.
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
JPMorgan’s annualized return on equity was 24%, when analysts were forecasting 19%.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
By forecasting five years of revenue and profit margins, Monroe, supported by the research team at Diamond Hill, arrives at what he described as “optimal free cash flow for the company” in its peak year.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026
Teachers began forecasting great things for me: some said I would make a good teacher, others maintained that I had the brains to become a doctor.
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
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.
