predict

verb

pre·​dict pri-ˈdikt 

predicted; predicting; predicts

transitive verb

: to declare or indicate in advance

especially : foretell on the basis of observation, experience, or scientific reason

All the local forecasters are predicting rain for the weekend.

You can't predict the future.

intransitive verb

: to make a prediction

predictor

pri-ˈdik-tər 

noun

Synonyms of predict

• read
• anticipate
• foretell
• forecast
• prognosticate
• warn
• presage
• announce
• prophesy

Choose the Right Synonym for predict

foretell, predict, forecast, prophesy, prognosticate mean to tell beforehand.

foretell applies to the telling of the coming of a future event by any procedure or any source of information.

seers foretold the calamity

predict commonly implies inference from facts or accepted laws of nature.

astronomers predicted an eclipse

forecast adds the implication of anticipating eventualities and differs from predict in being usually concerned with probabilities rather than certainties.

forecast snow

prophesy connotes inspired or mystic knowledge of the future especially as the fulfilling of divine threats or promises.

prophesying a new messiah

prognosticate is used less often than the other words; it may suggest learned or skilled interpretation, but more often it is simply a colorful substitute for predict or prophesy.

prognosticating the future

Examples of predict in a Sentence

All the local forecasters are predicting rain for this afternoon.

She claims that she can predict future events.

It's hard to predict how the election will turn out.

Many people predicted that the store would fail, but it has done very well.

Sales are predicted to be the same as last year.

Recent Examples on the Web

The outside noise, which predicted that the team would be at the bottom of the National League East once again, didn’t matter. — Danielle Allentuck, Washington Post, 16 July 2026

Utopia follows a group of nerds who discover a comic has been predicting historic events and accidentally unmask a shadowy conspiracy. — William Worrall, Space.com, 15 July 2026

There’s never been more that’s harder to predict as a leader of any company. — Fortune Editors, Fortune, 15 July 2026

Healthcare staffing challenges will likely worsen, according to a 2025 US Health Resources and Services Administration projection, with the agency predicting a shortage of 70,610 primary care doctors by 2038. — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin praedictus, past participle of praedicere, from prae- pre- + dicere to say — more at diction

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for predict

• addict
• afflict
• constrict
• delict
• depict
• evict
• handpicked
• inflict
• relict
• restrict
• bricked
• clicked

Kids Definition

predict

verb

pre·​dict pri-ˈdikt 

: to declare in advance : foretell on the basis of observation, experience, or reasoning

predictable

-ˈdik-tə-bəl 

adjective

predictably

-blē

adverb

Etymology

from Latin praedictus, past participle of praedicere "to predict, tell ahead of time," from prae- "pre-, earlier than, before" and dicere "to say" — related to dictate