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
• preˌdictaˈbility, noun
• preˈdictable, adjective

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

But so-called jungle primaries are notoriously hard to predict or poll.

From The Daily Beast

A successful trend-maker might be able to steer a conversation, but virality remains extremely difficult to predict.

From The Daily Beast

They predict the government of President Petro Poroshenko may not last another three months.

From The Daily Beast

Experts [predict] that over a million people in the region need food aid to allay shortages.

From The Daily Beast

Now, several reports predict the coming months could be devastating.

From The Daily Beast

I predict that, in one month from the date of this letter, there will not be an Austrian or Prussian cartridge found in France.

From Project Gutenberg

I found it on all occasions extremely sensible, and very often to predict a change of wind much sooner than the barometer.

From Project Gutenberg

Spain is a country of surprises and of contradictions; even her own people seem unable to predict what may happen on the morrow.

From Project Gutenberg

If everything came out it did not require any great effort of prophecy to predict what the result would be.

From Project Gutenberg

I venture to predict in advance, that the degree of success is mainly within their control.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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