What does prognosis mean?
Prognosis is a formal word for a prediction about what is likely to happen, especially in relation to illness or medical treatment. In medicine, the term refers to the expected course of a disease, its prospects for recovery, and the likely effect of treatment. A doctor may describe a patient's prognosis as favorable, poor, or guarded, depending on the evidence available. Outside medicine, prognosis can refer more broadly to a considered forecast about a situation, such as an economic or political outcome. Although the word is often associated with serious medical circumstances, it is not limited to them. Its usefulness lies in distinguishing a reasoned expectation of future developments from a diagnosis, which explains what a condition is, or from a guess, which lacks sufficient evidence. The word therefore carries a clinical tone and generally appears in formal, informative, or professional contexts.
nounThe likely course or outcome of a disease or medical condition. More generally, a forecast or prediction about what is expected to happen.
- A medical prediction of the likely course and outcome of a disease or condition.
- A forecast or statement of what is expected to happen in a situation or process.
"The doctor gave her a favorable prognosis after the successful treatment."
"The specialist said that the patient's prognosis was improving following the second operation."
"With negotiations nearing completion, economists cautiously revised their prognosis for the economy."
The standard plural changes the final syllable to -ses: prognosis becomes prognoses.
"The researchers compared the prognoses of patients receiving the two treatments."
From Greek roots meaning “before” and “knowledge,” prognosis literally describes the art of knowing beforehand.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prognosis come from?
Prognosis entered English from Latin prognōsis, a word used for a prediction or forecast. Latin had borrowed the term from Greek prognōsis, formed from pro- meaning “before” and gnōsis meaning “knowledge,” so the original sense was “knowing beforehand.” The closely related English words prognostic and prognosticate come from the same Greek and Latin root. French pronostic and Spanish pronóstico are Romance cognates with the same origin.
Related word forms
How prognosis is actually used
Prognosis is formal and especially common in medicine, where it is distinguished from diagnosis. In general use, it often suggests an informed prediction based on evidence rather than a casual guess.
Easily confused with prognosis
A diagnosis identifies or explains a condition, whereas a prognosis predicts how that condition is likely to develop or end.