predictive

adjective

pre·​dic·​tive pri-ˈdik-tiv 

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

predictively adverb

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

—Carol Tavris

Synonyms

• prophetic
• prophetical

Examples of predictive in a Sentence

unfortunately, the stock market crash of 1929 turned out to be a predictive event, for the next decade was consumed by the Great Depression

Recent Examples on the Web

Creating Operational Digital Twins Intelligent cloud enables operational digital twins—real-time virtual replicas of business operations that combine IoT data, AI analytics and predictive modeling. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

The conclave markets’ big miss this week reflects the limits of their predictive powers. —Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 9 May 2025

Its technology analyzes large numerical datasets to make predictive AI models. —Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 8 May 2025

Cities like Los Angeles and Memphis continue using predictive policing AI to analyze crime patterns and allocate resources. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for predictive

• addictive
• constrictive
• restrictive
• vindictive
• fictive
• magnetostrictive