The Meaning of Outlook: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of outlook? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word outlook, including its definition, usage, example sentences, and more!

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What does the word outlook mean?

According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word outlook (pronunciation of outlook: ˈaʊtlʊk) is a noun that has a few potential meanings. First, the word outlook can mean some place that offers a view or the view from a particular place. Second, it can refer to a point of view, general attitude about the present situation, characteristic mental attitude, or the attitude of a person. It can also refer to a future prospect, likely outcome, expected condition, or the act of looking out over something. One might also use the word Outlook to refer to the Microsoft Outlook, the Microsoft Office email client. Many businesses and people use email accounts from Microsoft Outlook. This can be accessed via the Microsoft Exchange server via mobile phones, Outlook web access, the Outlook web app, or a desktop app that uses Exchange web connect.

Different languages also contain words that mean outlook. You might notice that some of these words look and sound similar to one another. These are called cognates, which are when two words that mean something similar and different languages also look and sound similar. Cognates are formed when two words have the same root or language of origin. This list of translations of outlook is provided by Word Sense.

  •  Russian: то́чка зре́ния‎ (fem.)
  •  Ukrainian: точка зору‎
  •  Slovene: zórni kót‎ (masc.)
  •  Kazakh: көзқарас‎
  •  Turkish: görüş‎
  •  Scottish Gaelic: ionad-beachd‎ (masc.), ionad-seallaidh‎ (masc.)
  •  Serbo-Croatian:
  •  Romanian: punct de vedere‎
  •  Catalan: punt de vista‎ (masc.)
  •  Hungarian: álláspont‎
  •  Portuguese: ponto de vista‎ (masc.)
  •  Spanish: punto de vista‎ (masc.)
  •  Mandarin: 觀點‎, 观点‎ (guāndiǎn)
  •  Esperanto: vidpunkto‎
  •  French: point de vue‎, opinion‎
  •  Greek: άποψη‎ (fem.), θέση‎ (fem.), στάση‎ (fem.)
  •  German: Standpunkt‎ (masc.), Ansicht‎ (fem.), Sicht‎ (fem.)
  •  Italian: punto di vista‎ (masc.)
  •  Finnish: kanta‎, mielipide‎
  •  Latvian: viedoklis‎ (masc.)
  •  Japanese: 観点‎ (かんてん, kanten)

What is the origin of the word outlook?

According to Etymonline, the word outlook has been used since the year 1742 to mean a mental view or survey. Outlook has been used to mean a prospect for the future since 1851. The earliest sense of outlook was used in the 1660s to mean a place where some observer works out or watches. The literal sense of a vigilant watch or the act or practice of looking out has been used since 1815, but has since become very rare. The word lookout is more commonly used. 

How can the word outlook be used in a sentence?

The word outlook is very versatile and can be used in many different sentences in the English language. This word is neither considered casual or formal, so it can be used in a variety of different contexts. It will not feel out of place in a casual text message nor in a professional email or formal letter. Below are many examples of outlook.

Sara Lee took the strong-minded man to the hidden outlook at the edge of the cliff. His negative, pessimistic outlook quickly changed when he saw the beautiful October view. 

The weather outlook for tomorrow does not match the median forecasts that we have been experiencing. It looks like there will be more showers than the drier weather we are used to at this time. Perhaps that will prevent forest fires. 

The lovely man had a warm smile and sense of humour, which presented his great outlook on life to everyone he met.

The company worried that the long-term seasonal outlooks would not match up to the year’s end goals. The shareholders would fall victim to the current economic situation by September of that calendar year if the value of the Japanese assets did not increase.

While in Europe, Johnny looked out over many scenic outlooks near the highway. 

The future of the programme was at risk. The month’s survey for April showed a decrease in interest, and the general outlook was grim without the promise of registrations. 

The student had a surprisingly pleasant outlook after being rejected from Princeton University. The man’s general philosophical outlook was that whatever was meant to be, would be.

The man had a very peculiar outlook on food, and preferred cuisines with no butter or fat of any kind. 

What are synonyms for the word outlook?

The word outlook has a few different possible meanings, this means that there are a few different sets of words one can use in place of it. These words are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same definition as another given word or phrase. In contrast, opposite words are called antonyms. Synonyms are a great way to expand your English language vocabulary and avoid repeating yourself. This list of synonyms for the word outlook is provided by Thesaurus

Noun – point of view

  •  landscape
  •  relative importance
  •  foretaste
  •  relation
  •  angle
  •  frame of reference
  •  vista
  •  way of looking
  •  size of it
  •  context
  •  mind-set
  •  broad view
  •  vision
  •  overview
  •  headset
  •  views
  •  scope
  •  proportion
  •  viewpoint
  •  mindset
  •  attitude
  •  standpoint
  •  aspect
  •  perspective
  •  prospect
  •  routine
  •  scene
  •  objectivity
  •  frame of mind
  •  relativity
  •  direction
  •  slant
  •  side
  •  panorama

Noun – future

  •  law of averages
  •  precognition
  •  opportunity
  •  planning
  •  prognostication
  •  conjecture
  •  appearances
  •  projection
  •  estimate
  •  likelihood
  •  normal course
  •  prescience
  •  foreseeing
  •  possibility
  •  cast
  •  forecast
  •  prospects
  •  foretelling
  •  expectation
  •  prognosis
  •  divination
  •  foreknowledge
  •  augury
  •  budget
  •  calculation
  •  chance
  •  prospect
  •  anticipation
  •  guess
  •  forethought
  •  foretoken
  •  risk
  •  prophecy
  •  opening
  •  foresight
  •  prevision
  •  probability

Noun – view

  •  vista
  •  picture
  •  look
  •  field of vision
  •  tableau
  •  landscape
  •  glimpse
  •  prospect
  •  way
  •  outline
  •  show
  •  range of vision
  •  composition
  •  scene
  •  aspect
  •  sight
  •  seascape
  •  panorama
  •  perspective
  •  stretch
  •  opening
  •  illustration
  •  design
  •  vision
  •  representation
  •  appearance
  •  contour
  •  spectacle

Overall, the word outlook means

Sources:

  1. OUTLOOK Synonyms: 46 Synonyms & Antonyms for OUTLOOK | Thesaurus 
  2. outlook | Origin and meaning of outlook | Online Etymology Dictionary 
  3. Outlook | Definition of Outlook | Merriam-Webster 
  4. outlook: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense