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Definition of outcome noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

outcome

noun
 OPAL WOPAL S
 
/ˈaʊtkʌm/
 
/ˈaʊtkʌm/
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  1. the result or effect of an action or event
    • The likely outcome is a compromise.
    • Their strategy produced the desired outcome.
    • We are confident of a positive outcome.
    • a favourable/successful outcome
    • We await the outcome of the election.
    • It is difficult to predict the final outcome.
    • to influence/decide/determine the outcome
    • Four possible outcomes have been identified.
    • patient/clinical/treatment/health outcomes
    • regardless of the outcome These costs are payable regardless of the outcome of the case.
    • pending the outcome (formal) He has been suspended from his post pending the outcome of a police investigation.
    Synonyms resultresultconsequence ▪ outcome ▪ repercussionThese are all words for a thing that is caused because of something else.result a thing that is caused or produced by something else:
    • She died as a result of her injuries.
    • This book is the result of 25 years of research.
    consequence (rather formal) a result of something that has happened, especially a bad result:
    • This decision could have serious consequences for the industry.
    Consequences is used most frequently to talk about possible negative results of an action. It is commonly used with such words as adverse, dire, disastrous, fatal, harmful, negative, serious, tragic and unfortunate. Even when there is no adjective, consequences often suggests negative results.     outcome the result of an action or process:
    • We are waiting to hear the final outcome of the negotiations.
     result or outcome?Result is often used to talk about things that are caused directly by something else: Aggression is often the result of fear. Outcome is more often used to talk about what happens at the end of a process when the exact relation of cause and effect is less clear: Aggression is often the outcome of fear. Result is often used after an event to talk about what happened. Outcome is often used before an action or process to talk about what is likely to happen.repercussion (rather formal) an indirect and usually bad result of an action or event that may happen some time afterwards.Patterns
    • to have consequences/​repercussions for somebody/​something
    • with the result/​consequence/​outcome that…
    • a(n)/the possible result/​consequences/​outcome/​repercussions
    • a(n)/the likely/​inevitable result/​consequences/​outcome
    • (a/​an) negative results/​consequences/​outcome/​repercussions
    • far-reaching/​serious results/​consequences/​repercussions
    • to have a result/​consequences/​an outcome/​repercussions
    Extra Examples
    • We are waiting to hear the final outcome of the negotiations.
    • We are confident of a favourable outcome.
    • We may not know the outcome of the meeting until tomorrow.
    • We use a computer model to predict the outcome of different scenarios.
    • The figures suggest patient outcomes at the hospital are not as good as they should be.
    • The bank has to carry a large reserve to protect against an adverse outcome.
    • The inevitable outcome is confusion.
    • This was a very satisfactory outcome from my point of view.
    • Whatever my feelings, it doesn't change the outcome.
    • There is no proven record of cinema influencing the outcome of an American election.
    • How an individual reacted to an experience appeared to determine the eventual outcome.
    • No single factor decided the outcome of the battle.
    • Try different variables to see how each one affects the outcome.
    • We measured clinical outcomes of placebos.
    • Good housing improves health outcomes.
    • Improved maternal diet leads to improved pregnancy outcomes.
    • We need to develop public policies to help children with a higher risk of negative outcomes.
    • It is important to evaluate the learning outcomes of the course.
    • We have developed tools for measuring research outcomes.
    Topics Change, cause and effectb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • desirable
    • desired
    • favourable/​favorable
    • …
    verb + outcome
    • affect
    • change
    • influence
    • …
    preposition
    • outcome of
    phrases
    • whatever the outcome
    See full entry
See outcome in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee outcome in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: outcome

Nearby words

pepper
noun
 
 
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