forecast
B2Formal to Neutral. Common in professional, academic, media, and everyday contexts when discussing future predictions.
Definition
Meaning
A prediction or estimate of a future event or trend, especially regarding weather or financial/business conditions.
To predict or estimate a future event or trend; the act or result of making such a prediction. It applies broadly to any systematic calculation of future outcomes based on current data.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a degree of systematic analysis or expertise, not just a guess. Can refer to the prediction itself (noun) or the act of predicting (verb). The past tense and past participle can be either 'forecast' or 'forecasted', with 'forecast' being more common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Spelling and usage are identical. The verb forms 'forecast/forecast' and 'forecasted' are used in both varieties, with 'forecast' as the past tense being slightly preferred.
Connotations
Identical. Conveys a sense of professional or data-driven estimation.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties. Core vocabulary in economics, business, and meteorology.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
forecast [noun] (e.g., forecast growth)forecast that [clause] (e.g., forecast that profits will rise)forecast [noun] for [time period] (e.g., forecast rain for tomorrow)be forecast to [infinitive] (e.g., inflation is forecast to fall)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Forecast is for... (used to introduce a prediction, e.g., 'The forecast is for sunny skies')”
- “Crystal ball forecast (a prediction considered speculative or magical)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for predictions of sales, profits, market trends, and economic indicators. E.g., 'The Q3 revenue forecast was overly optimistic.'
Academic
Used in economics, climatology, and social sciences for modeling future scenarios based on data.
Everyday
Most commonly associated with the weather report. E.g., 'Did you hear the forecast for the weekend?'
Technical
In meteorology, finance, data science, and supply chain management for quantitative predictions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Experts forecast a mild winter.
- The chancellor will forecast economic growth in his speech.
- Rain has been forecast for all of next week.
American English
- Analysts forecast a rise in stock prices.
- They forecasted higher demand than they actually saw.
- The storm was forecast to hit the coast by midnight.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used as an adverb. Typically 'as forecast' or 'forecastedly' is very uncommon.)
- The event went ahead as forecast.
American English
- (Rarely used as an adverb. Typically 'as forecast' or 'forecastedly' is very uncommon.)
- Sales came in lower than forecast.
adjective
British English
- The forecast figures were surprisingly accurate.
- We missed our forecast revenue target.
American English
- The forecast model needs updating.
- Actual results differed from forecast earnings.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The weather forecast says it will be sunny tomorrow.
- What is the forecast for the weekend?
- The company's sales forecast is very positive for next year.
- Economists forecast a small increase in prices.
- Despite the gloomy economic forecast, consumer confidence remains high.
- The original forecast had to be revised due to unexpected market volatility.
- Meteorologists use complex models to forecast long-term climate trends with varying degrees of certainty.
- The board dismissed the financial forecast as unduly pessimistic, citing several unaccounted-for growth factors.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FORE (ahead) + CAST (throw) = to throw your thoughts ahead into the future.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE FUTURE IS AHEAD / PREDICTING IS SEEING AHEAD. We look 'ahead' to the future and 'cast' our vision forward.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'прогноз' which is a direct equivalent for 'forecast' or 'прогнозировать' for 'to forecast'. Be careful with 'предсказание', which is closer to 'prediction' and can sound less analytical/more mystical.
- Avoid calquing the structure 'make a forecast'; use 'give/issue a forecast' or simply 'forecast' as a verb.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'will forecast' instead of the more natural present simple for scheduled future events in formal contexts (e.g., 'The Bank forecasts a rate cut next month').
- Overusing 'forecasted' as the past tense; 'forecast' is more common and often preferred.
- Confusing 'forecast' with 'foresee' (which is more about intuition) or 'predict' (which is more general).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'forecast' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'forecasted' is accepted, particularly in American English. However, the irregular form 'forecast' (identical to the base form) is more common and often preferred in both edited writing and speech.
They are often synonymous. 'Forecast' often implies a more formal, systematic, or quantitative prediction based on data (e.g., weather, economics). 'Predict' is more general and can be used for any statement about the future, from a scientist's model to a psychic's vision.
Yes, it functions as a participial adjective, as in 'forecast results' or 'forecast demand'. It describes something that has been predicted.
'Sales forecast' and 'profit forecast' are extremely common, referring to estimated future sales and profits.
Collections
Part of a collection
Weather
A2 · 45 words · Describing the weather, climate and seasons.