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
• sinister
• 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

Already, the film has earned six nominations for the Critics Choice Documentary Awards, as well as a spot on the Oscar-predictive DOC NYC Short List. —Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025

However, these are predictive results—not medical diagnoses—as symptoms differ among women at these stages. —Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 17 Oct. 2025

Ellis is meant to help brands and retailers scenario plan, leveraging predictive analytics and natural language processing (NLP) to provide real-time insights that can shorten the decisioning process. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2025

Generally, however, the preseason is at least directionally predictive. —Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for predictive

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