forecast

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A statement about what is likely to happen in the future, especially about the weather or the economy.

   Grammar: Countable; can be used with an or the, and has a plural forecasts.

   Patterns

   • a forecast of something
   • a forecast for something
   • the weather forecast

   The weather forecast says it will rain tomorrow.

   Economists have issued a gloomy forecast for next year.

   According to the forecast, temperatures will drop below zero tonight.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To say what is likely to happen in the future, based on information you have now.

   Grammar: Takes an object: forecast the weather. Can also be used with a clause: forecast that prices will rise.

   Patterns

   • forecast something
   • forecast that ...
   • be forecast to do something

   The company forecasts a rise in profits next quarter.

   Rain is forecast for this afternoon.

   They forecast that the population will grow by 10%.

Word forms

Common combinations

weather forecast

The weather forecast is for sunshine all weekend.

economic forecast

The economic forecast predicts slow growth.

sales forecast

Our sales forecast for the next quarter is optimistic.

forecast rain

The sky is clear, but rain is forecast for tomorrow.

Synonyms and how they differ

prediction

A general word for saying what you think will happen; forecast is more often used for weather or official economic statements.

projection

Often used for calculations based on current trends, especially in business or demography; forecast is broader.

estimate

An approximate calculation, not necessarily about the future; forecast always looks ahead.

Word family

forecaster noun

A person who makes forecasts, especially about the weather.

forecasting noun

The activity of making forecasts.

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “forecast”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words