previsional

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a nounformalrare

   Relating to a forecast or to seeing something in advance.

   Grammar: Used before a noun, as in 'previsional estimates'; it is not usually put after a verb.

   Patterns

   • previsional estimates
   • previsional data

   The report included previsional figures for the coming year.

   Previsional estimates suggest demand will rise slightly.

   Their previsional model was based on ten years of weather records.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nounformalrare

   Arranged or agreed for the present time only, with changes possible later.

   Grammar: This sense is much less common than 'provisional'; use 'provisional' in ordinary writing.

   Patterns

   • a previsional arrangement
   • previsional approval

   They reached a previsional agreement while the details were checked.

   A previsional license was issued until the final inspection.

Common combinations

previsional estimates

The previsional estimates were revised after the audit.

previsional figures

Previsional figures for the quarter were published yesterday.

previsional data

Previsional data often changes once full records arrive.

previsional agreement

A previsional agreement kept the project moving.

Synonyms and how they differ

provisional

This is the normal everyday word for something temporary; 'previsional' is rare and mainly technical.

predictive

This means 'used to predict'; it focuses on forecasting, while 'previsional' can also mean temporary.

Word family

prevision noun

A forecast or the act of seeing ahead.

previsional adjective

Relating to a forecast or temporary arrangement.

provision noun

A different word meaning supply or a condition in an agreement.

Commonly confused: previsional or provisional? previsional or prevision?

Practice

Make it your own

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

Explore more words