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

This positive performance was further amplified by the company’s upward revision to its full-year outlook. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Tomé said the moves were well-timed given ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, but declined to update the company’s full-year outlook. —Kevin Williams, Quartz, 29 Apr. 2025

Canal+ confirmed its full year 2025 outlook and H1 FY25 results will be released on July 29, with the company’s general shareholder meeting scheduled for June 6, in Paris. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025

The Lions have impact players and depth, making the roster outlook healthy. —Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 28 Apr. 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