prognosis
prog-NOH-sis
/prɒɡˈnoʊsɪs/
A forecast of the likely course of a disease or a situation.
Specifically used in medical contexts or for expert predictions about economic or social trends.
The story behind the word. From the Greek roots 'pro' (before) and 'gnosis' (knowledge), it literally means 'knowing beforehand.' It was originally a purely medical term used by Hippocrates.
Word relationships
- forecast: Prognosis is more technical and often relates to the 'health' of a system or person.
- diagnosis: Diagnosis identifies the current problem; prognosis predicts the future of that problem.
Commonly confused with
- prediction: A prediction can be a guess; a prognosis is based on data and patterns.
Word family
- prognosticate (verb): to foretell or prophesy
- prognostic (adjective): relating to a prognosis
Collocations
- clinical prognosis
- poor prognosis
- economic prognosis
Example sentences
- "The doctor provided a favorable prognosis after the successful surgery." Medicine
- "The economic prognosis for the next quarter remains gloomy due to inflation." Economics
Memory hook
A 'pro' (professional) gives you the 'gnosis' (knowledge) of what will happen. Pro-knowledge of the future.
When not to use
Don't use for casual guesses; it implies a degree of expert analysis.
Fun facts
- The plural of prognosis is prognoses.
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