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

Other Word Forms

• predictable adjective
• predictability noun
• mispredict verb
• unpredicted adjective
• unpredicting adjective
• predictably adverb

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

A Replay executive predicted, “Five years from now, all TV will be watched from a hard disk.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Intense winds on Jan. 7 — which had been predicted by the National Weather Service before that day — reignited the fire and sent it roaring into Pacific Palisades and Malibu.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

By applying machine learning to Gaia's asteroid catalogue and then comparing the results to their model's prediction, Zhou's team found that the location of the gap matched what their model predicted almost perfectly.

Read more on Science Daily

While Justice Secretary Angela Constance has predicted that the cost to public bodies will be minimal, she said ministers were aware that they had to provide sufficient resources for the reforms to work.

Read more on BBC

Since the release last week, the rumors grew louder and louder, with some fans predicting this album would be it for the pop artist.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anticipate 
• call 
• conclude 
• envision 
• forecast 
• foresee 
• think