predict

[ pri-dikt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to declare or tell in advance; prophesy; foretell:

   to predict the weather; to predict the fall of a civilization.

   Synonyms: portend, prognosticate, project, augur, divine, presage

verb (used without object)

1. to foretell the future; make a prediction.

   Synonyms: portend, prognosticate, project, augur, divine, presage

predict

/ prɪˈdɪkt /

verb

1. tr; may take a clause as object to state or make a declaration about in advance, esp on a reasoned basis; foretell

Derived Forms

• preˈdictably, adverb
• preˈdictable, adjective
• preˌdictaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• pre·dicta·ble adjective
• pre·dicta·bili·ty noun
• mispre·dict verb
• unpre·dicted adjective
• unpre·dicting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of predict¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin praedictus, past participle of praedīcere “to foretell,” equivalent to prae- “before, earlier” + dic-, variant stem of dīcere “to say” + -tus past participle suffix; pre-, dictum

Word History and Origins

Origin of predict¹

C17: from Latin praedīcere to mention beforehand, from prae before + dīcere to say

Synonym Study

Predict, prophesy, foresee, forecast mean to know or tell (usually correctly) beforehand what will happen. To predict is usually to foretell with precision of calculation, knowledge, or shrewd inference from facts or experience: The astronomers can predict an eclipse; it may, however, be used without the implication of underlying knowledge or expertise: I predict she'll be a success at the party. Prophesy usually means to predict future events by the aid of divine or supernatural inspiration: Merlin prophesied the two knights would meet in conflict; this verb, too, may be used in a more general, less specific sense. I prophesy he'll be back in the old job. To foresee refers specifically not to the uttering of predictions but to the mental act of seeing ahead; there is often (but not always) a practical implication of preparing for what will happen: He was clever enough to foresee this shortage of materials. Forecast has much the same meaning as predict; it is used today particularly of the weather and other phenomena that cannot easily be accurately predicted: Rain and snow are forecast for tonight. Economists forecast a rise in family income.

Example Sentences

Most working-age benefits, such as Universal Credit, will go up by 1.7% in April - which analysts predict will be below the pace at which prices are rising.

From BBC

“It’s unlikely that the pot of money shrinks and I think there’s even a possibility it could increase,” he predicted.

From Los Angeles Times

The improvement can be up to 5%, which is significant for metrics that measure uncertainty in predicting word sequences.

From Science Daily

The upheaval “is going to be swift and unprecedented,” predicts Matthew Tejada of the Natural Resources Defense Council, who left EPA last year.

From Science Magazine

The model predicts that seabirds will divide the waters around a colony into different circular zones, with each species using its own zone to fish in.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• anticipate
• call
• conclude
• crystal-ball
• envision
• forecast
• foresee
• think