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

Keeping a positive attitude and optimistic outlook can also suppress anger, therefore relieving pain, the doctor added. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 6 Dec. 2025

On Saturday, the schedule will play out like dominoes, with each time slot having the chance to change the outlook. —Jordan Mendoza, USA Today, 5 Dec. 2025

Many economists believe that the more extreme ends of Dalio’s outlook will not come to pass, because the Federal Reserve will intervene in the debt issue before a crisis truly comes to pass. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2025

Heading into year’s end, hazy outlooks on interest rates, inflationary pressures, consumer sentiment and the labor market make real estate hard to project in 2026, said Katrina Wehr, a past president of Idaho Realtors, the statewide board, and a broker at Stack Rock Realty. —Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 5 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