2 syllables: fore, cast. Stress on fore.
FAWR-kast
/ˈfɔˌɹkæst/
forecast is pronounced FAWR-kast (/ˈfɔˌɹkæst/). It has two syllables (fore-cast), with the stress on "fore". Forecast is a compound verb and noun denoting a prediction or estimate about future conditions, often based on data or trends. As a verb, it means to predict or estimate in advance; as a noun, it refers to the prediction itself or a forecast of weather, prices, or events. The term combines fore- (before) with -cast (to throw or project), emphasizing forward-looking projection.
Forecast is a compound verb and noun denoting a prediction or estimate about future conditions, often based on data or trends. As a verb, it means to predict or estimate in advance; as a noun, it refers to the prediction itself or a forecast of weather, prices, or events. The term combines fore- (before) with -cast (to throw or project), emphasizing forward-looking projection.
"Weather forecasts are updated hourly to reflect changing conditions."
"We forecast a rise in demand based on recent market data."
"Analysts forecast a gradual slowdown in growth next quarter."
Forecast is /ˈfɔːr.kæst/ in US and UK English, with primary stress on the first syllable. In American speech you’ll hear /ˈfɔːrˌkæst/ when linked to a following word, but the core form is /ˈfɔːr.kæst/. Start with an open-mid back vowel for 'for' (like 'or' in 'for'), then a short, crisp 'cast' with a t-dominant ending. For an audio reference, search for Cambridge or Oxford pronunciations to listen to the exact mouth positions.
Two frequent errors: misplacing stress (trying to stress the second syllable) and elongating the second vowel or making it sound like ‘for-cast’ with a less defined final consonant. Correct by keeping primary stress on the first syllable and ending with a crisp /t/. Ensure the /ɔː/ in the first syllable is rounded and prolonged, then release quickly into /kæst/ with a clear t-final. Practicing with minimal pairs helps fix the pattern.
In US/UK/AU, the first syllable uses a broad back vowel /ɔː/ or /ɔːː/ depending on accent, with the main difference being rhoticity and vowel length. US speakers often have a rhotic /r/ influence in the first syllable, but the spellings don’t always reflect the rhoticity. The second syllable /kæst/ remains fairly consistent, though Australians may slightly reduce the vowel quantity in rapid speech. Overall, the primary variation is vowel quality in the first syllable and the speed of the /t/ release.
The challenge lies in the two-consonant cluster at the end (/kst/) and the diphthong in the first syllable, which varies by accent. Getting the /ɔː/ vowel to sit before an abrupt /k/ and /t/ sequence requires precise tongue retraction and a clean stop. Additionally, linking the word to subsequent sounds can shift the stress pattern momentarily, so keep the primary stress on the first syllable. Focus on a tight vowel onset and crisp final plosive.
One unique feature is the optional reduction of the second syllable in fast speech, where some speakers compress /ˈfɔːr.kæst/ toward a more reduced /ˈfɔːr.kæst/ without altering meaning. The key is maintaining a clear /k/ before the final /æst/ and ensuring the /r/ reflects your accent (rhotic in US/CA, non-rhotic in some UK varieties). If you stress early, you’ll preserve intelligibility and reduce miscommunication in quick conversations.
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Forecast traces to the early modern English form forecast. The word compounds fore- (before, ahead) with cast (to throw, or to project). The sense evolved from a literal act of throwing something forward or ahead (as in casting light, shadows, or forecasts) to a figurative projection of future events. In Middle English, the term appeared as forecaste, denoting a prediction made in front of observers—often in the context of weather or markets. The modern sense broadened to include weather prognostication, economic forecasting, and predictive statements across domains. The semantic shift reflects historical practices of meteorology and risk assessment where forecasters projected outcomes using available data. Hallmark uses of forecast became prominent in trading, navigation, and weather services from the 17th to 19th centuries, paralleling the rise of systematic data collection. First widely attested in print around the 15th century, forecast matured into a dual lexical function: the act of predicting (verb) and the prediction itself (noun). In contemporary usage, forecast coexists with forecasted (adjective) and forecasting (gerund/participle), maintaining the core sense of looking forward to anticipate conditions or events.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "forecast" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "forecast" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "forecast"
-ast sounds
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