Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

predictive

adjective
pre·​dic·​tive | \pri-ˈdik-tiv \

Definition of predictive 

1 : of, relating to, or usable or valuable for prediction predictive medical factors

2 : based on or generated by using methods of prediction predictive models predictive text Usually predictive policing refers to feeding reams of city data into a computer and dispatching extra officers to areas that are deemed to be at high risk of future crime.— Leon Neyfakh

Other Words from predictive

predictively adverb
Like an astrological chart, it can be made to fit any case, and it works better retrospectively than predictively. — Carol Tavris

First Known Use of predictive

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about predictive

Share predictive

Statistics for predictive

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for predictive

The first known use of predictive was in 1637

See more words from the same year

More from Merriam-Webster on predictive

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for predictive

Nglish: Translation of predictive for Spanish Speakers

Comments on predictive

What made you want to look up predictive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

exculpate

to clear from alleged fault or guilt

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Vocab Quiz

  • the-education-of-achilles-eugne-delacroix
  • Which is a synonym of discomfit?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games