unpredictable

American  

[uhn-pri-dik-tuh-buhl] / ˌʌn prɪˈdɪk tə bəl /

adjective

1. not predictable; not to be foreseen or foretold.

   an unpredictable occurrence.

   Synonyms:

   uncertain , variable , fitful , erratic

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noun

1. something that is unpredictable.

   the unpredictables of life.

unpredictable British  

/ ˌʌnprɪˈdɪktəbəl /

adjective

1. not capable of being predicted; changeable

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Other Word Forms

• unpredictability noun
• unpredictableness noun
• unpredictably adverb

Etymology

Origin of unpredictable

First recorded in 1855–60; un- ¹ + predictable

Example Sentences

By leveraging the threat of costly and unpredictable litigation, dominant firms burden their competitors financially and create uncertainty that undermines customer confidence in those rivals—ultimately steering business and market share toward themselves.

From The Wall Street Journal

But Jack Hare is preparing for another leap into the unknown on his unpredictable Quest!

From BBC

In this distinctly unpredictable time, Freyne’s film offers the simple comfort of a worry-free afterlife, one less thing to fret about among the deluge of global strife.

From Salon

Their original kids’ circumstances haven’t changed all that much, but their outlooks have, making for unpredictable twists in their powers, strengths and alliances.

From Los Angeles Times

The internet rewired work in unpredictable ways, which could tell us a lot about AI’s likely impact.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• erratic
• fickle
• uncertain
• unreliable
• unstable