predictable

adjective

pre·​dict·​able pri-ˈdik-tə-bəl 

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 

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

However, this predictable behavior breaks down during ultra-high-speed deformation that occurs in mere fractions of a microsecond. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026

Almost all the Indian adaptations of Wuthering Heights fall on the side of depicting the Heathcliff character as a wronged lover who is ultimately in the right; here’s one that leans more toward his villainy, resulting in something slightly less predictable, if still quite silly at times. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026

Use Motion-Activated Sprinklers Geese feel safest in predictable environments. —Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 15 Feb. 2026

Over years, deterioration concentrates in predictable sections, while the majority of the roof may remain stable with substantial service life remaining. —Mike McGilvary, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for predictable

• indictable
• unpredictable