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

The idea that Chelsea’s participation in the Club World Cup impacted them is not, according to people with knowledge of their outlook, who asked to be kept anonymous to protect relationships, a majority view at Chelsea. —Cerys Jones, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026

That helps explain why downward revisions to Saudi growth outlook have been less pronounced than most Gulf economies. —Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 22 Apr. 2026

Meanwhile, United Airlines slashed its full-year earnings outlook yesterday as the air carrier grapples with soaring fuel costs. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026

Moody’s Ratings upgraded Thailand’s credit outlook to stable from negative, citing easing downside risks from US tariffs and improved domestic investment momentum. —Bloomberg, 21 Apr. 2026

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