outlook
OWT-luuk
Outlook (noun) means a person's general attitude or view of life and the future. Example: “His cheerful outlook made him pleasant company on long journeys.”
noun
1
A person's general attitude or view of life and the future.
"His cheerful outlook made him pleasant company on long journeys."
"She has a very positive outlook despite everything she's been through."
"His outlook on work changed completely after the accident."
2
A prediction of how something is likely to develop.
"The weather outlook for the weekend is dry and sunny."
"The economic outlook for next year looks uncertain."
"Analysts gave the company a stable outlook."
How to use outlook
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow someone views life, or a forecast of what's likely to happen next.
Common pairings
positive outlook
bleak outlook
outlook for the future
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Word forms
- Plural
- outlooks
- Third person singular
- outlooks
- Past tense
- outlooked
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His cheerful _____ made him pleasant company on long journeys.
Etymology
Built from out- + look — literally "a looking out," originally a place from which one could watch for danger or view the surroundings.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for outlook
See all rhymes for outlook →Frequently asked questions
What does “outlook” mean?
The word “outlook” means a person's general attitude or view of life and the future. In plain terms, how someone views life, or a forecast of what's likely to happen next.
How do you pronounce “outlook”?
“Outlook” is pronounced OWT-luuk (/ˈaʊtˌlʊk/ in IPA).
How do you use “outlook” in a sentence?
Here is “outlook” used in a sentence: “She has a very positive outlook despite everything she's been through.”
What part of speech is “outlook”?
“Outlook” is a noun.
Is “outlook” a common word?
“Outlook” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “outlook” have?
“Outlook” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person's general attitude or view of life and the future.
What is the difference between outlook and perspective?
An outlook is a person's general attitude to life or expectation about the future, as in 'a cheerful outlook.' A perspective is a particular way of viewing something, shaped by position or experience, as in 'from a teacher's perspective.' Outlook leans toward the future; perspective leans toward a vantage point.
What is the difference between an outlook and a forecast?
A forecast is a specific prediction, often built from data — a weather forecast gives expected conditions for particular days. An outlook is broader and more general, describing the overall direction something is likely to take, as in 'the outlook for the industry is positive.' In weather reporting, an outlook usually covers a longer, less certain period than a forecast.
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