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

Illness is predicted to spread faster, infect more people and put higher-risk groups at greater chance of being seriously ill or hospitalized.

Read more on Salon

The chancellor had repeatedly suggested a downgrade to the UK's predicted economic productivity would make it hard to meet her spending rules.

Read more on BBC

But Britney Nguyen explained why investors trying to predict who might “win” the AI software or hardware competitions might be better off taking a broader view of the AI landscape.

Read more on MarketWatch

Still, expectations for a supply surplus in 2026 have intensified, with the International Energy Agency predicting that global oil supply will outpace demand by 4 million barrels per day next year.

Read more on MarketWatch

Soon after Microsoft Research published that report, its authors took pains to point out that they weren’t trying to predict who would lose jobs to AI.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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