forecast
FAW-kahst
Forecast (verb) means to predict how something, especially the weather or the economy, will develop. Example: “Experts forecast that the village will grow quickly over the coming years.”
verb
1
To predict how something, especially the weather or the economy, will develop.
"Experts forecast that the village will grow quickly over the coming years."
"Meteorologists forecast heavy snow for the weekend."
"Analysts forecast a rise in interest rates."
noun
1
A prediction about future conditions, especially the weather.
"According to the forecast, it will rain heavily tomorrow afternoon."
"Check the forecast before you set off on your walk."
"The forecast calls for sunshine all week."
How to use forecast
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA prediction about what will happen, especially with weather or finances.
Common pairings
weather forecast
sales forecast
forecast a decline
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Word forms
- Plural
- forecasts
- Third person singular
- forecasts
- Past tense
- forecasted
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Experts _____ that the village will grow quickly over the coming years.
Etymology
From Middle English forecasten, from fore- + cast ("to throw" or "to calculate in advance").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for forecast
See all rhymes for forecast →Frequently asked questions
What does “forecast” mean?
The word “forecast” means to predict how something, especially the weather or the economy, will develop. In plain terms, a prediction about what will happen, especially with weather or finances.
How do you pronounce “forecast”?
“Forecast” is pronounced FAW-kahst (/ˈfɔɹkæst/ in IPA).
How do you use “forecast” in a sentence?
Here is “forecast” used in a sentence: “Meteorologists forecast heavy snow for the weekend.”
What part of speech is “forecast”?
Depending on how it is used, “forecast” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “forecast” come from?
The word “forecast” comes from Middle English. From Middle English forecasten, from fore- + cast ("to throw" or "to calculate in advance").
Is “forecast” a common word?
“Forecast” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “forecast” have?
“Forecast” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to predict how something, especially the weather or the economy, will develop.
Is the past tense forecast or forecasted?
Both are in use, but forecast unchanged is the more common and widely preferred past tense and past participle: "They forecast rain yesterday." Forecasted is also accepted by major dictionaries and appears especially in business writing. Like the verb cast that it contains, forecast traditionally resists adding -ed.
What is the difference between forecast and predict?
Predict is the general word for saying what will happen. Forecast implies a systematic prediction based on data and analysis of trends, which is why it is the standard word for weather and economic predictions. You might predict the winner of a match on a hunch, but a meteorologist forecasts tomorrow's weather.
What is the difference between a forecast and a projection?
A forecast states what is actually expected to happen, based on analysis of current information. A projection shows what would happen if particular assumptions hold, often by simply extending current trends forward. Forecasts make a claim about the future; projections explore scenarios.
Is it "weather forecast" or "whether forecast"?
The correct phrase is weather forecast: weather is the noun for atmospheric conditions such as rain, wind, and temperature. Whether is a conjunction used to introduce alternatives ("whether it rains or not") and never refers to the atmosphere. Since a forecast is a prediction about future conditions, only weather makes sense in the phrase.
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