"Forecast" vs. "prediction": reading the future in words

Reviewed and edited by

Anwar Kareem 02/10/2024, 03:45

English.me team member

Forecast and prediction. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both words refer to statements about the future or anticipated outcomes based on data, analysis, or models.

What is different?

Forecast often implies a systematic, data-driven approach and is commonly used in contexts like weather, economics, or business. Prediction can be more general and may not always rely on extensive data.

Which one is more common?

Examples of usage

Forecast

The weather forecast predicts rain for the entire week.
Economic forecasts suggest a steady growth in GDP over the next quarter.

Prediction

His prediction about the election results was surprisingly accurate.
The prediction of the movie's success was based on early reviews.