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predict

[ pri-dikt ]
/ prɪˈdɪkt /
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See synonyms for: predict / predicted / predicting / predicts on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to declare or tell in advance; prophesy; foretell: to predict the weather; to predict the fall of a civilization.

verb (used without object)

to foretell the future; make a prediction.

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”

Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
their
there
they're
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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; 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

Words nearby predict

predicate objective, predication, predicative, predicator, predicatory, predict, predictability, predictable, prediction, predictive, predictive value
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to predict

foresee, envision, conclude, anticipate, forecast, call, think, figure, prophesy, portend, vaticinate, prognosticate, surmise, guess, forebode, presage, infer, conjecture, read, adumbrate

Example sentences from the Web for predict

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
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