outlook

noun

out·​look ˈau̇t-ˌlu̇k 

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.

Synonyms

• lookout
• observatory
• overlook

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

Restaurant Brands on Tuesday trimmed its outlook for full-year system-wide sales growth to a range of 5% to 5.5%, down from its prior range of 5.5% to 6%. —Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024

Microsoft said that some suppliers are behind schedule, which impacts its outlook, but CEO Satya Nadella expects the supply and demand to match up within the second half of the fiscal year. —Megan Poinski, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Trump Media stock, which had previously moved almost in tandem with the political outlook of the Trump campaign, rose on Monday. —Paolo Confino, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024

While serious weather can have an impact on voter turnout, forecasters say the outlook for Tuesday isn't severe enough to cause big issues. —Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

outlook

noun

out·​look ˈau̇t-ˌlu̇k 

1

a

: a place offering a view

b

: a view from a particular place

2

: point of view

3

: conditions that seem to lie ahead

the outlook for business