What does prognostic mean?
A prognostic is something that indicates what is likely to happen in the future. The word is most often used as an adjective: a prognostic sign is a present observation that points toward a later event or outcome, such as falling sales suggesting weaker revenue or a clear sky promising fair weather. As a noun, a prognostic is a prediction or indication, though this use is less common and tends to sound formal or literary. The expression can be used broadly for social, political, economic, and personal situations, as well as in medical contexts, although a prognosis more commonly refers to a forecast of an illness's course. Prognostic is related etymologically to prognosis and prognosticate, all of which derive from Greek roots meaning to know beforehand. Its distinction from diagnostic is important: a diagnostic identifies something in the present, while a prognostic points toward what may happen later.
Serving to indicate or forecast a future event.
"The report is widely regarded as a prognostic sign of recovery."
More common than the noun and often used with "sign," "indicator," or a direct reference to a future event.
An indication or forecast of a future event.
"The agreement was an encouraging prognostic for future cooperation."
Formal and relatively uncommon; often appears in the expressions "a good prognostic" and "a bad prognostic."
The plural is possible but uncommon because the noun sense is largely confined to formal or literary usage.
"The early results offered mixed prognostics for the project."
A prognostic is a clue about tomorrow hiding in today's evidence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prognostic come from?
The word comes from Latin prognosticus, a form of Greek prognōstikos, meaning "foreseeing" or "indicative of the future." Greek prognōstikos was built from pro-, meaning "before" or "forward," and gnōstikos, meaning "able to be known," ultimately related to gignōskein, "to know." The same roots appear in prognosis, prognosticate, and other English words concerned with knowing or indicating what is to come.
Related word forms
How prognostic is actually used
The adjective is more common than the noun. The noun is formal and literary, especially in phrases such as "a good prognostic" and "a bad prognostic."
Easily confused with prognostic
A prognosis is a forecast of the likely course or outcome of a situation, especially an illness, whereas a prognostic is primarily a sign or indication of a future event.
A diagnostic identifies or characterizes a present condition or fault, while a prognostic points toward a future outcome.