forecast

verb

fore·​cast ˈfȯr-ˌkast 

fȯr-ˈkast

forecast also forecasted; forecasting

transitive verb

1

a

: to calculate or predict (some future event or condition) usually as a result of study and analysis of available pertinent data

The company is forecasting reduced profits.

especially : to predict (weather conditions) on the basis of correlated meteorological (see meteorology sense 1) observations

They're forecasting rain for this weekend.

b

: to indicate as likely to occur

Optimists are forecasting an immediate upswing in business.

2

: to serve as a forecast of : presage

Such events may forecast peace.

intransitive verb

: to calculate the future

if it turns out as I forecasted

forecastable

ˈfȯr-ˌka-stə-bəl 

adjective

forecaster noun

Synonyms of forecast

• predict

Choose the Right Synonym for forecast

foretell, predict, forecast, prophesy, prognosticate mean to tell beforehand.

foretell applies to the telling of the coming of a future event by any procedure or any source of information.

seers foretold the calamity

predict commonly implies inference from facts or accepted laws of nature.

astronomers predicted an eclipse

forecast adds the implication of anticipating eventualities and differs from predict in being usually concerned with probabilities rather than certainties.

forecast snow

prophesy connotes inspired or mystic knowledge of the future especially as the fulfilling of divine threats or promises.

prophesying a new messiah

prognosticate is used less often than the other words; it may suggest learned or skilled interpretation, but more often it is simply a colorful substitute for predict or prophesy.

prognosticating the future

Examples of forecast in a Sentence

They're forecasting rain for this weekend.

The company is forecasting reduced profits.

Experts forecast that the economy will slow in the coming months.

Recent Examples on the Web

Market watchers have predicted that the machines will change the world over the next decade and forecast that the industry will grow 100-fold, as AI's physical capabilities evolve. —Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 3 June 2026

While the rate on this account will be variable and subject to rise or fall based on economic conditions, that's less of a concern now that interest rates are forecast to remain high through the end of the year. —Matt Richardson, CBS News, 3 June 2026

Forecasters said an area of low pressure is forecast to form offshore of Central America and southern Mexico late this week, with environmental conditions appearing conducive for the system to strengthen into a tropical depression late this weekend or early next week. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 3 June 2026

Despite the passage of a temporary sales tax, Measure A, and job cuts earlier this year, the county is forecasting a $500 million shortfall in the 2027-28 fiscal year. —Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 3 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for forecast

• chloroplast
• epiblast
• fibroblast
• opencast
• overcast
• protoplast
• rebroadcast
• telecast
• trophoblast
• ultrafast
• unsurpassed
• aghast

Kids Definition

forecast

1 of 2 verb

fore·​cast ˈfō(ə)r-ˌkast 

ˈfȯ(ə)r-

forecast also forecasted; forecasting

: to calculate or predict (a future event or state) usually by study and examination of data

forecast the weather

forecaster noun

forecast

2 of 2 noun

: an estimate or prediction of a future happening or condition

weather forecasts