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

Dimon told the Fox show that markets are unpredictable, but they could be reflecting worries that there’s a chance something could go wrong.

From Barron's

He said the goal it to remain “unpredictable.”

From Los Angeles Times

For humans were the most unpredictable creatures in all the kingdom.

From Literature

With the caveat that crises are inherently unpredictable, probably not.

From The Wall Street Journal

It likewise suggests that technological progress is too unpredictable for one organization, no matter how powerful or smart, to control.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• erratic
• fickle
• uncertain
• unreliable
• unstable