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

Kroger has responded by lowering prices on thousands of everyday staples, simplifying promotions, and testing broader price reductions as shoppers increasingly favor predictable everyday value over complicated coupon programs. — Hank Cardello, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Some of their no-go items are predictable; others might be sitting in your fridge right now. — Angela Haupt, Time, 23 July 2026

The resulting backlash is almost predictable, sometimes reversing the decision and sometimes merely prolonging the painful end. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026

Anniversary years can produce a flood of predictable books and commemorations, encouraging familiar narratives polished for public consumption. — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for predictable

• indictable
• unpredictable