outcome

Meaning

1. 1nouncountable

   What finally happens at the end of an event, process or decision, especially as it affects the people involved.

   Grammar: Usually followed by of or for: the outcome of the vote, a good outcome for patients.

   Patterns

   • the outcome of something
   • an outcome for someone
   • a positive outcome

   Nobody could predict the outcome of the election.

   The doctors were pleased with the outcome of the surgery.

   Whatever the outcome, we will respect the committee's decision.

Word forms

Common combinations

a positive outcome

The talks ended with a positive outcome for both sides.

await the outcome

Reporters waited outside to await the outcome of the trial.

the final outcome

The final outcome was not decided until the last minute.

the likely outcome

The likely outcome is a small rise in prices.

outcome of an investigation

The outcome of the investigation will be published next week.

Synonyms and how they differ

result

Result is the everyday word and can be a single measurable figure, while outcome stresses how a whole situation ended up.

consequence

Consequence points to something that follows from an action and is often unwelcome, whereas outcome can be neutral.

upshot

Upshot is informal and sums up the main final effect in a conversational way.

conclusion

Conclusion can mean the ending itself or a reasoned judgment, not just what resulted.

Opposites

Word family

outcome-based adjective

organized around the results it aims to achieve

Commonly confused: outcome or income?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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