prognosis

noun

prog·​no·​sis präg-ˈnō-səs How to pronounce prognosis (audio)
plural prognoses präg-ˈnō-ˌsēz How to pronounce prognosis (audio)
Synonyms of prognosis
1
: the prospect of recovery as anticipated from the usual course of disease or peculiarities of the case
2
: forecast, prognostication

Did you know?

Prognosis Is Not Just a Medical Term

With its prefix pro-, meaning "before", prognosis means basically "knowledge beforehand" of how a situation is likely to turn out. Prognosis was originally a strictly medical term, but it soon broadened to include predictions made by experts of all kinds. Thus, for example, economists are constantly offering prognoses (notice the irregular plural form) about where the economy is going, and climate scientists regularly prognosticate about how quickly the earth's atmosphere is warming.

Synonyms of prognosis

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Examples of prognosis in a Sentence

Right now, doctors say his prognosis is good. The president had a hopeful prognosis about the company's future.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tatum spends most of the weekend under the dark cloud of her pending biopsy results, which ultimately deliver a different prognosis than in the book. — Max Gao, Variety, 11 July 2026 But the former Senate majority leader's staff hasn't said much else to indicate what he's being treated for, what his prognosis is, or his condition. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 7 July 2026 Tomczyk said that the plan is for Griffin to wear a splint for the next six weeks, at which point his prognosis will be reexamined. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 7 July 2026 Despite the prognosis, his desire to live, love and make art endures. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for prognosis

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek prognōsis, literally, foreknowledge, from progignōskein to know before, from pro- + gignōskein to know — more at know

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prognosis was in 1655

Rhymes for prognosis

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Browse Nearby Words

Progne
prognosis
prognostic
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Cite this Entry

“Prognosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prognosis. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

prognosis

noun
prog·​no·​sis präg-ˈnō-səs How to pronounce prognosis (audio)
plural prognoses -ˈnō-ˌsēz How to pronounce prognosis (audio)
1
: the prospect of recovery of an individual who has a disease based on the usual course of the disease and the characteristics of the individual who is sick
2
: forecast entry 2

Medical Definition

prognosis

noun
prog·​no·​sis präg-ˈnō-səs How to pronounce prognosis (audio)
plural prognoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce prognosis (audio)
1
: the act or art of foretelling the course of a disease
2
: the prospect of survival and recovery from a disease as anticipated from the usual course of that disease or indicated by special features of the case
the prognosis is poor because of the accompanying cardiovascular disease—P. A. Mead et al.

More from Merriam-Webster on prognosis

Nglish: Translation of prognosis for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prognosis

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