noun

outlook

/ˈaʊtlʊk/ · say it: OWT·look

a forecast of what is likely to happen

In From the Business Pages

In more detail

1. (noun) your opinion or expectation about what will happen in the future

2. (noun) the view from a particular place

3. (noun) the likely situation or conditions expected in the future

Examples

1. The company has a positive outlook for next year's sales.
2. The hotel room has a beautiful outlook over the mountains.
3. The economic outlook is uncertain right now.

How to use outlook

Outlook most commonly refers to expectations or predictions about future events, especially in business, economics, or personal contexts. It can also mean a literal view from a location or a person's general attitude or point of view. The word is neutral and widely used in both formal and informal discourse.

Common phrases

positive outlook
grim outlook
economic outlook
outlook for the future
outlook improves
bright outlook

Synonyms

prospect · expectation · view · perspective · forecast

Word family

outlook (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse outlook with viewpoint or perspective; note that outlook specifically emphasizes futurity and expectations, whereas perspective may be more about how someone currently sees something.

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