verb

predict

prih-DIHKT

verb

To say what will happen in the future, based on knowledge, evidence, or reasoning.

"Scientists predict that sea levels will keep rising for decades."

"No one could have predicted how popular the app would become."

How to Use Predict

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo forecast or guess ahead of time what will happen, usually with some evidence behind the guess.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "prophesy," which usually implies a mystical or religious kind of foretelling rather than reasoned forecasting.

Easily confused with

predict vs. prophesy

Common pairings

predict the outcome experts predict hard to predict

Word Forms

predicted past tense, predict plural, predicted plural, predicts plural, predicts singular, predict singular, predicted singular, predictest singular, predictedst singular, predicteth singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Scientists _____ that sea levels will keep rising for decades.

Etymology

From Latin praedicere, \"to say beforehand,\" from prae- (\"before\") plus dicere (\"to say\").

Synonyms

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foretell forespell forespeak halsen anticipate augur bode call divine forecast foredeem forehold

Antonyms

retrodict

Related Words

forecast good foresee foretell lend beautiful ominous call

Rhymes for predict

edict benedict

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