Word
prognosis
Phoneticsprog·no·sis, stress on the second syllable
US/pɹɑɡˈnoʊsəs/
UK/pɹɒɡnˈəʊsɪs/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a doctor's opinion about how a sick person will recover. It can also mean a guess about how a situation will develop in the future.
n. a prediction of the likely course and outcome of a disease or situation. Often based on medical data or historical trends.
Examples
“The doctor gave her a positive prognosis.”
“After the surgery, the medical team provided a favorable prognosis for a full recovery within six months.”
“While the immediate economic indicators are troubling, the long-term prognosis for the industry remains optimistic due to recent technological breakthroughs and increased consumer demand.”
Examples
simple
“The doctor gave her a positive prognosis.”
contextual
“After the surgery, the medical team provided a favorable prognosis for a full recovery within six months.”
complex
“While the immediate economic indicators are troubling, the long-term prognosis for the industry remains optimistic due to recent technological breakthroughs and increased consumer demand.”
Usage
Often takes the preposition 'for' when referring to the subject of the prediction.
Pitfall
the prognosis of the patient
the prognosis for the patient
In a medical context, 'prognosis' typically takes the preposition 'for' to indicate the person or condition being discussed.
Real-World Examples
“The World Health Organization says it is “one of the cancer types with the least favourable prognosis”.” “The reasons are personal: for the past year my partner has had brain cancer and despite his good prognosis, I’ve reached the view that running for a second term is not right for me.” Etymology
Learned borrowing from Late Latin prognōsis (“forecast, prediction; forecast of the course and outcome of a disease”), itself borrowed from Ancient Greek πρόγνωσις (prógnōsis, “forecast of the course and outcome of a disease; (Koine) foreknowledge, perceiving beforehand, prediction”), from προ- (pro-, prefix meaning ‘before; beforehand’) + γνῶσῐς (gnôsĭs, “inquiry, investigation; knowledge”). The plural prognoses is a learned borrowing from Late Latin prognōsēs. Cognates * Middle French prognosie (“forecast, prediction”) (modern French prognosie (obsolete), prognose (“forecast of the course and outcome of a disease”)) * Sanskrit प्रज्ञा (prajñā, “intelligence, wisdom; judgment; knowledge”)
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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