outlook
OUT-look
/ˈaʊt.lʊk/
A person's point of view or general attitude to life.
Can also refer to the future prospect of a situation (e.g., 'economic outlook').
The story behind the word. Originally meant the act of looking out from a place. By the 1800s, it shifted metaphorically to mean one's mental 'view' of the world or the future.
Word relationships
- perspective: Perspective is how you see a specific thing; outlook is your general mental state.
Commonly confused with
- opinion: An opinion is a specific thought; an outlook is a general mindset.
Collocations
- positive outlook
- bleak outlook
- global outlook
Example sentences
- "Travel has given her a much broader outlook on the world." Personal philosophy.
- "The economic outlook for the next quarter remains positive despite the inflation." Economic forecast.
Memory hook
How you 'look out' at the world. Your window to the world.
When not to use
Don't use it for a literal physical view from a window (that's a 'view' or 'vista').
Fun facts
- In the 17th century, an 'outlook' was a place where a watchman stood.
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