predictive

American  

[pri-dik-tiv] / prɪˈdɪk tɪv /

adjective

1. of or relating to prediction.

   The predictive power of the software is its ability to analyze relationships in the data at a speed and on a scale not previously possible.

2. used or useful for predicting or foretelling the future.

   Astrologers look for predictive signs among the stars.

3. being an indication of the future or of future conditions.

   The cold wind was predictive of snow.

4. Digital Technology. relating to or being computer or smartphone software that uses the text just entered in a message or document to suggest words that may be wanted next.

   There's a combination of artificial intelligence and special algorithms in the code that makes the predictive text happen.

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predictive British  

/ prɪˈdɪktɪv /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or making predictions

2. text messaging (of mobile phone technology) enabling mobile phones to predict the word being entered in a text message from the first few letters

   predictive texting

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Other Word Forms

• nonpredictive adjective
• predictively adverb
• predictiveness noun
• unpredictive adjective
• unpredictively adverb

Etymology

Origin of predictive

First recorded in 1630–40; from Late Latin praedictīvus “foretelling”; predict, -ive

Example Sentences

“Sentiment Indicator levels below -1 have historically been predictive of above-average equity returns, although the signal improves when the indicator drops below -1.5,” Goldman said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

The predictive text is supposed to learn your style and improve over time, but depending on the fixes you do or don’t accept, it can learn incorrect spellings in place of correct ones.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Instead, they produce responses via token prediction, effectively a more complex version of predictive text.

From Slate • Mar. 28, 2026

"The question was, are there structural changes in specific proteins that might be useful as predictive markers?"

From Science Daily • Mar. 12, 2026

Many parents seem to believe that a child cannot prosper unless it is hitched to the right name; names are seen to carry great aesthetic or even predictive powers.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt