Words / B2

OWTL-uk/ˈaʊtlʊk/

Outlook is the likely future, or a person’s attitude: the economic outlook, a positive outlook, outlook for jobs. Forecast is close for weather and numbers; attitude is the personal sense; view is everyday. In speech, how things look / her attitude is enough. Do not mix the two senses in one sentence without a cue, and do not confuse outlook with lookout (a person watching / a viewpoint on a hill).

Meaning

What is likely to happen; also a person’s general attitude.

Examples

• “The economic outlook for the next quarter is uncertain.”
• “The Bank’s outlook for inflation was revised up, not down.”
• “Despite the diagnosis he kept a stubbornly hopeful outlook, which is the attitude sense.”

Good to know

the outlook for + topic; economic outlook. Close: forecast. Attitude sense: a positive outlook. Mix-up: lookout. Keep future vs attitude clear.

Near in meaning

forecast

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