predictable

adjective

pre·​dict·​able pri-ˈdik-tə-bəl How to pronounce predictable (audio)
Synonyms of predictablenext
1
: capable of being predicted : able to be known, seen, or declared in advance
a predictable reaction/outcome
a very predictable plot
changes occurring at a steady and predictable rate
2
: behaving in a way that is expected
I knew he would say that. He's so predictable.
predictability
pri-ˌdik-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce predictable (audio)
noun
By comparing the projections, meteorologists can get a measure of the weather's predictability: The less agreement among the forecasts, the less predictable the weather. — Richard Monastersky

Examples of predictable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For decades, traditional retirement planning followed a predictable formula: Work for 40 years, save in a pension or 401(k) and withdraw funds in retirement. — Gianluca Sidoti, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 Avoiding redundancies with federal or state loan program requirements already in place and creating a reasonable, predictable regulatory environment would encourage more investment in affordable housing. — Miranda Darden-Willems, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025 The snarky commentary on the social media age comes off as a bit old-hat, and too many of the odd couple tropes feel predictable. — Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2025 The Electric State, with its predictable final shot teeing up a sequel, argues for a society that values togetherness and imagination. — Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for predictable

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of predictable was in 1820

Rhymes for predictable

See All Rhymes for predictable

Browse Nearby Words

predict
predictable
predictably
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Predictable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predictable. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on predictable

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for predictable

Nglish: Translation of predictable for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All