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

Together, these alternating wet and dry phases created a predictable stacking pattern of rock types across the basin. —Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 12 Jan. 2026

For children who are beginning to learn these skills, predictable environments reduce cognitive load and boost emotional control. —Jose Bolanos, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026

Tested on mice These paths form in predictable steps, giving the 16 pain levels for the memristor. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026

But Bob’s was the least predictable and the hardest to explain. —Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 11 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for predictable

• indictable
• unpredictable