forecast

[fawr-kast, -kahst, fohr-]

verb (used with object)

forecast, forecasted, forecasting. 

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)

forecast, forecasted, forecasting. 

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

Other Word Forms

• forecaster noun
• forecastable adjective
• reforecast verb (used with object) reforecast, reforecasted, reforecasting
• unforecast adjective
• unforecasted 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

The discovery gives solar scientists new tools to better simulate how the Sun behaves during energetic flares -- knowledge that could eventually improve forecasts of space weather events that influence technology and communications on Earth.

Read more on Science Daily

On growth, economists continued to revise their near-term forecasts for gross domestic product upward.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It forecast more growth for its net interest income for the rest of the year.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Although not everyone agrees that supershear earthquakes are inherently more destructive than other types, the potential implications are massive and need to be accounted for in seismic forecasts, the scientists contend.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Enthusiasm for the results, though, will be tempered by the dimming outlook for China where a growth slowdown is forecast.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

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