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Synonyms

predictive

American  
[pri-dik-tiv] / prɪˈdɪk tɪv /

adjective

  1. of or relating to prediction.

    The predictive power of the software is its ability to analyze relationships in the data at a speed and on a scale not previously possible.

  2. used or useful for predicting or foretelling the future.

    Astrologers look for predictive signs among the stars.

  3. being an indication of the future or of future conditions.

    The cold wind was predictive of snow.

  4. Digital Technology. relating to or being computer or smartphone software that uses the text just entered in a message or document to suggest words that may be wanted next.

    There's a combination of artificial intelligence and special algorithms in the code that makes the predictive text happen.


predictive British  
/ prɪˈdɪktɪv /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or making predictions

  2. text messaging (of mobile phone technology) enabling mobile phones to predict the word being entered in a text message from the first few letters

    predictive texting

"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

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of predictive

First recorded in 1630–40; from Late Latin praedictīvus “foretelling”; see predict, -ive


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

A study says FICO’s newer formula, which Fannie and Freddie still can’t accept, “shows the highest measure of predictive power.”

From Slate ● Oct. 27, 2026

The GMs left Doncic off their predictive MVP list for a reason.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2026

"We already knew that tetraploidy can make cells more tumorigenic, but now we know that if you incorporate the size of the cells, it can be more predictive of tumorigenic potential," Cimini said.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026

AI-powered predictive analytics are especially useful in the banking industry and tech consulting firm, Kitrum documented in a blog post earlier this year.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026

He developed a predictive model to understand planetary motions and decode the message in the skies.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

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