outlook

noun

out·​look ˈau̇t-ˌlu̇k How to pronounce outlook (audio)
1
a
: a place offering a view
b
: a view from a particular place
2
: point of view
a positive outlook on life
3
: the act of looking out
4
: the prospect for the future
the outlook for steel demand in the U.S.Wall Street Jour.
Choose the Right Synonym for outlook

prospect, outlook, anticipation, foretaste mean an advance realization of something to come.

prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern.

the prospect of a quiet weekend

outlook suggests a forecasting of the future.

a favorable outlook for the economy

anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen.

the anticipation of her arrival

foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming.

the frost was a foretaste of winter

Examples of outlook in a Sentence

The students all seemed to have the same outlook. Despite our differences in outlook, we got along together very well. scenic outlooks along the highway
Recent Examples on the Web Recent data released by the company supports that pessimistic outlook. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 4 Mar. 2024 Economic developments this week should help clarify what has become a cloudier 2024 outlook. Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2024 The company raised its earnings outlook to be in the range of $5.13 and $5.19 (versus the $5.08 and $5.16 range earlier). Trefis Team, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Lack of snow in the upper Midwest is the main driver of the current flood outlook, Shea said. Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024 The latest seasonal outlooks from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are unclear about what March, April and May could hold for California, with equal chances of wet or dry conditions. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024 According to a hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service in Wilmington, showers and thunderstorms will develop in the Ohio Valley Region on Tuesday and continue into the night. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 27 Feb. 2024 The efforts underscore hopes the creators in the room shared about the outlook of digital media and entertainment. Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2024 This gloomy fiscal outlook also assumes that the state won’t experience a recession in the next few years. Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outlook.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of outlook was in 1667

Dictionary Entries Near outlook

Cite this Entry

“Outlook.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outlook. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

outlook

noun
out·​look ˈau̇t-ˌlu̇k How to pronounce outlook (audio)
1
a
: a place offering a view
b
: a view from a particular place
2
3
: conditions that seem to lie ahead
the outlook for business

More from Merriam-Webster on outlook

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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