outcome

outcome — noun

1. what finally happens because of an action, decision, process, or situation.

1.nounC1
Definition

what finally happens because of an action, decision, process, or situation.

Example

The outcome of the vote surprised even senior members of the party.

outcome of + noun

After weeks of rain, the farmers feared a poor outcome for the rice crop.

outcome for + noun

Common collocations
  • predict the outcome
  • determine the outcome
  • a successful outcome
  • a poor outcome
  • the outcome of the case
Synonyms
  • result

    the closest everyday word and less focused on the final stage

  • consequence

    often stresses what follows from an action, especially something serious

  • effect

    often refers to an influence or change rather than the overall end point

  • aftermath

    usually describes what remains after a bad event

Antonyms
  • cause

    the thing that produces a result rather than the result itself

Grammar Patterns

the outcome of + noun

outcome for + noun

Usage Note

Often follows 'of' to name the event, process, or case that leads to the result: 'the outcome of the talks'. Common with verbs like 'predict', 'determine', 'affect', and 'improve', especially when the final result is still uncertain or being judged.

Common Mistakes

The outcome from the meeting was a new plan.
The outcome of the meeting was a new plan.
'outcome' usually takes 'of' before the event that produced it.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Outcome' usually points to the final result of a process, decision, discussion, or contest, especially when people are waiting to see how things end. 'Result' is broader and more everyday, so it fits both small and large situations. 'Consequence' often stresses what follows from an action, and it often sounds more serious or negative. 'Effect' usually focuses on the change something causes, not the whole ending. Compare: 'We still do not know the outcome of the election' sounds natural because the final answer is not known yet. 'The medicine had no effect' talks about impact, not the final end point.

outcome ↗result ↗consequence ↗effect ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • the outcome of
  • predict the outcome
  • determine the outcome
  • affect the outcome

Prepositions

Etymology

English

This word was formed in English from 'out' and 'come'. It grew from the idea of what 'comes out' of an event or process, and over time it became the standard noun for the final result.