prognosis

/prɑgˈnoʊsəs/

/prɒgˈnʌʊsɪs/

Other forms: prognoses

If you come down with an illness, you might ask your doctor what your prognosis is. A prognosis is a prediction about the course of a disease.

Prognosis comes from the Greek pro- "before" and gnosis "knowledge." It means to know beforehand, but keep in mind that it is only a probable outcome and not a sure thing. Financial analysts frequently change their prognosis of the economy as they hear each piece of good or bad economic news. And if the weather prognosis is sunny and dry, but you see dark clouds forming, you would be wise to pack an umbrella.

Definitions of prognosis

1. noun

   a prediction of the course of a disease
   synonyms: medical prognosis, prospect

   type of:

   medical diagnosis

   identification of a disease from its symptoms
2. noun

   a prediction about how something (as the weather) will develop
   synonyms: forecast

   types:

   financial forecast

   a forecast of the expected financial position and the results of operations and cash flows based on expected conditions

   weather forecast, weather outlook

   a forecast of the weather

   type of:

   forecasting, foretelling, prediction, prognostication

   a statement made about the future