predict

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; see pre-, dictum

synonym study for predict

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.

OTHER WORDS FROM predict

pre·dict·a·ble, adjectivepre·dict·a·bil·i·ty, nounmis·pre·dict, verbun·pre·dict·ed, adjective

un·pre·dict·ing, adjective

Words nearby predict

predicate objective, predication, predicative, predicator, predicatory, predict, predictability, predictable, prediction, predictive, predictor

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use predict in a sentence

Though the veteran politician is still predicted to win reelection in the deep-red state, Harrison poses a serious threat to Graham’s campaign.
Jaime Harrison Says He Feels ‘A Little Sad’ For Lindsey Graham|Hope Wright|September 17, 2020|Essence.com
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield predicted Wednesday that most of the American public will not have access to a vaccine against the novel coronavirus until late spring or summer of next year.
Trump contradicts CDC director on vaccine; Biden says Americans shouldn’t trust Trump|Colby Itkowitz, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner|September 16, 2020|Washington Post
With the mechanism behind mantling unmasked, a third partner—Orion Genomics, a private startup founded by Martienssen—was able to develop a simple DNA test that predicts whether a designer seedling will bear robust or withered fruit.
The Environmental Headache in Your Shampoo - Issue 90: Something Green|Anastasia Bendebury & Michael Shilo DeLay|September 16, 2020|Nautilus
Typically, water utilities set water prices a year in advance by trying to predict how much people will need.
Environment Report: State Throws Cold Water on Pricing Scheme|MacKenzie Elmer|September 14, 2020|Voice of San Diego

Another thankless task for brands is predicting where people are going to be spending their days.
Deep Dive: How the Summer of 2020 forced brand marketing to change for the better|jim cooper|September 14, 2020|Digiday
But so-called jungle primaries are notoriously hard to predict or poll.
The Golden State Preps for the ‘Red Wedding’ of Senate Races|David Freedlander|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A successful trend-maker might be able to steer a conversation, but virality remains extremely difficult to predict.
China’s Internet Is Freer Than You Think|Brendon Hong|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They predict the government of President Petro Poroshenko may not last another three months.
Ukraine Militias Warn of Anti-Kiev Coup|Jamie Dettmer|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Experts [predict] that over a million people in the region need food aid to allay shortages.
Liberia’s Ebola Famine|Abby Haglage, Nina Strochlic|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now, several reports predict the coming months could be devastating.
Liberia’s Ebola Famine|Abby Haglage, Nina Strochlic|November 13, 2014|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.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
I found it on all occasions extremely sensible, and very often to predict a change of wind much sooner than the barometer.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2]|Phillip Parker King
Spain is a country of surprises and of contradictions; even her own people seem unable to predict what may happen on the morrow.
Spanish Life in Town and Country|L. Higgin and Eugne E. Street
If everything came out it did not require any great effort of prophecy to predict what the result would be.
The Gold Bat|P. G. Wodehouse
I venture to predict in advance, that the degree of success is mainly within their control.
Thoughts on Educational Topics and Institutions|George S. Boutwell

British Dictionary definitions for predict

predict

/ (prɪˈdɪkt) /

verb

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

Derived forms of predict

predictable, adjectivepredictability or predictableness, nounpredictably, adverb

Word Origin for predict

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

predict

OTHER WORDS FOR predict

Origin of predict

synonym study for predict

OTHER WORDS FROM predict

Words nearby predict

Words related to predict

How to use predict in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for predict

Derived forms of predict

Word Origin for predict