predict

American  

[pri-dikt] / prɪˈdɪkt /

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

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verb (used without object)

1. to foretell the future; make a prediction.

   Synonyms:

   portend, prognosticate, project, augur, divine, presage

predict British  

/ 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

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Related Words

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 Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of 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; pre-, dictum

Explanation

To predict is to say what you think is going to happen in the future. If you predict that you'll win the poker championship, you're either really confident in your poker skills or you're cheating. The prefix pre means "before." Dict comes from the Latin dicere, which means "to say," yet you can use predict to refer to things that can't say anything at all. Darkening skies can predict a coming storm, for example, and a runny nose can predict a cold. You can predict something based on factual evidence, or on a crystal-ball reading, or just on plain intuition.

Example Sentences

“While we cannot predict how these risks and uncertainties will ultimately play out, they are significant,” Dimon said in a release.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Box office analysts predict this year will be different.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton suggested "it's impossible to predict" who will win the title.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Never predict anything, especially the future, as Casey Stengel supposedly said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 12, 2026

The two calendars drifted with respect to each other, making it very difficult to predict when a holiday was due.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

Related Words

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