Definition

1. Noun:
   • A prediction of the likely course and outcome of a disease: In medicine, a "prognosis" is a forecast made by a doctor about how a patient's illness will develop, including the chances of recovery or the likely duration of the condition.
   • A forecast or prediction about how any situation or process will develop: More generally, "prognosis" can refer to any prediction about the future development of something, such as economic trends or project outcomes.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The doctor gave a positive prognosis, stating the patient would likely make a full recovery.
  • The economic prognosis for the next quarter is bleak, with analysts predicting a recession.
  • Based on the initial data, the long-term prognosis for the company's new product is excellent.

Advanced Usage

• "Guardedly optimistic prognosis": A cautious but hopeful prediction about an outcome, often used in medical contexts.

  • The surgeon offered a guardedly optimistic prognosis following the complex operation.

• "To make a prognosis": The act of formulating a prediction.

  • It is too early to make an accurate prognosis about the success of the peace talks.

Variants and Related Words

• Prognostic (adj): Relating to or serving as a basis for a prognosis; predictive.
  • A high fever can be a prognostic indicator of a serious infection.
• Prognosticate (verb): To foretell or predict a future event.
  • Economists try to prognosticate market trends.
• Prognosticator (noun): A person who predicts future events.
  • The old sailor was known as a reliable prognosticator of storms.

Synonyms

• Forecast: A prediction or estimate of future events, especially weather or financial trends.
• Prediction: A statement about what will happen in the future.
• Outlook: A prospect for the future.

Related Phrases

• "Prognosis is good/poor/favorable": Common collocations describing the nature of the prediction.
  • The prognosis is good for patients who start treatment early.
  • With the engine damage, the prognosis for the car's repair is poor.

Idioms

• While "prognosis" itself is not typically part of idioms, it is central to the common medical idiom:
  • "What's the prognosis?": Often used informally to ask about the likely outcome of any situation, not just medical.

    • The project is behind schedule. What's the prognosis for meeting the deadline?

Noun

1. a prediction of the course of a disease
2. a prediction about how something (as the weather) will develop