outlook

noun

out·​look ˈau̇t-ˌlu̇k 

1

a

: a place offering a view

b

: a view from a particular place

2

: point of view

a positive outlook on life

3

: the act of looking out

4

: the prospect for the future

… the outlook for steel demand in the United States

—Wall Street Jour.

Synonyms of outlook

• overlook
• observatory
• lookout
• tower

Choose the Right Synonym for outlook

prospect, outlook, anticipation, foretaste mean an advance realization of something to come.

prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern.

the prospect of a quiet weekend

outlook suggests a forecasting of the future.

a favorable outlook for the economy

anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen.

the anticipation of her arrival

foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming.

the frost was a foretaste of winter

Examples of outlook in a Sentence

The students all seemed to have the same outlook.

Despite our differences in outlook, we got along together very well.

scenic outlooks along the highway

Recent Examples on the Web

Our outlook for prices suggests that Brent — currently selling at about $60 a barrel — will remain in the low $60s during the first quarter, before rising toward the mid-to-high $60s by the year-end. —Amena Bakr, semafor.com, 19 Dec. 2025

Melvin traveled to Van Der Beek’s Texas ranch to talk with the actor and father of six about his current condition and his outlook on his illness. —Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025

The company’s shares were down 3 percent in Friday trading, thanks in part to Nike’s sluggish outlook, which is impacting the athletic sector as a whole. —Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 19 Dec. 2025

As the longest night of the year loomed in Brussels, the outlook looked dark for Europe. —Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for outlook

• betook
• casebook
• chapbook
• checkbook
• chinook
• codebook
• cookbook
• fishhook
• forsook
• guidebook
• handbook
• hornbook

Kids Definition

outlook

noun

out·​look ˈau̇t-ˌlu̇k 

1

a

: a place offering a view

b

: a view from a particular place

2

: point of view

3

: conditions that seem to lie ahead

the outlook for business