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

Clinical procedures, including intravenous infusions, are designed to be predictable and minimally distressing. —Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026

Which is what made the question feel necessary, and Hart’s ensuing response both predictable and telling. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026

Finland can offer a stable, predictable structure and environment, which is a great asset when other regions may be harder to access. —Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026

Absent more predictable trends, law enforcement will be spread thin, asked to protect an impossible array of locations across the country against an impossible diversity of threats. —Jacob Ware, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for predictable

• indictable
• unpredictable