forecast

[ fawr-kast, -kahst, fohr- ]

verb (used with object)

, fore·cast or fore·cast·ed, fore·cast·ing.

1. to predict (a future condition or occurrence); calculate in advance:

   to forecast a heavy snowfall; to forecast lower interest rates.

   Synonyms: anticipate, foretell

2. to serve as a prediction of; foreshadow.
3. to contrive or plan beforehand; prearrange.

   Synonyms: project

verb (used without object)

, fore·cast or fore·cast·ed, fore·cast·ing.

1. to conjecture beforehand; make a prediction.

   Synonyms: estimate, guess

2. to plan or arrange beforehand.

noun

1. a prediction, especially as to the weather.
2. a conjecture as to something in the future.

   Synonyms: estimate, guess

3. the act, practice, or faculty of forecasting.
4. Archaic. foresight in planning.

   Synonyms: prescience, forethought

forecast

/ ˈfɔːˌkɑːst /

verb

1. to predict or calculate (weather, events, etc), in advance
2. tr to serve as an early indication of
3. tr to plan in advance

noun

1. a statement of probable future weather conditions calculated from meteorological data
2. a prophecy or prediction
3. the practice or power of forecasting

Derived Forms

• ˈforeˌcaster, noun

Other Words From

• forecasta·ble adjective
• forecaster noun
• re·forecast verb (used with object) reforecast or reforecasted reforecasting
• un·forecast adjective
• un·forecasted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of forecast¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English (verb) “to plan ahead of time”; fore-, cast ( def )

Synonym Study

See predict.

Example Sentences

You will want to keep an eye on the forecast though as cloud may obscure the view in some places.

From BBC

Read our thoughts on the forecast further ahead with our monthly outlook.

From BBC

The Mountain fire was listed as 48% contained as of Tuesday morning, and officials were confident that those lines would hold even as winds were forecast to slightly pick up.

From Los Angeles Times

While it is true that some forecast model data is showing a much colder spell with snow, there are uncertainties in the forecast.

From BBC

While there have been huge improvements over decades, we know that forecast accuracy decreases the further out you go.

From BBC

Related Words

• anticipate
• augur
• calculate
• conclude
• determine
• estimate
• foresee
• foretell
• gauge
• portend