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 U.S.

—Wall Street Jour.

Synonyms

• lookout
• observatory
• overlook

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

Having grown up in the middle of The Cali-Medellin war, her outlook is informed by experience. —Ebony Flake, Essence, 19 Apr. 2024

The fund boosted its 2024 growth outlook for the US to 2.7%, up from 2.1% in January — more than double the pace of each of its Group of Seven counterparts. —Enda Curran, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024

Dan Scharf Keynote Conversation I Variety Power of Law Scharf explained how the disruption of last year’s WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes has affected plans and the outlook for moving forward at Amazon MGM Studios. —Jack Dunn, Variety, 19 Apr. 2024

Certain events — a good teacher, a trip overseas, a long relationship with a musical instrument, perhaps a charismatic aunt — may have changed her outlook on things. —Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024

In the index’s forward-looking outlook rankings, tops among the 50 states were our directly competitive neighbors: Utah ranked 1st, Idaho 2nd and Arizona 3rd. —John Seiler, Orange County Register, 16 Apr. 2024

The diversified health care giant made a small upward change to its 2024 outlook. —Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 16 Apr. 2024

Goldman Sachs put out a report outlining potential tariff increases as the most important issue for the economic outlook if President Trump were to be re- elected. —CBS News, 14 Apr. 2024

The weather service’s Greer office warned of the threat of severe weather in a hazardous weather outlook bulletin at 4:15 a.m. Wednesday and again at 4:25 a.m. Thursday. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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