predictable
/prɪˈdɪktəbəl/able to be foreseen or anticipated; lacking surprise or originality
The plot of the movie was predictable from the first scene.
The story followed a familiar pattern that was easy to guess.
He gave a predictable answer to the question.
His response was exactly what everyone expected.
Often used to describe situations, behaviors, or outcomes that are easily anticipated due to repetition or lack of creativity.
Collocations
💡Pro Tip
Avoiding predictability
To make your writing or behavior less predictable, introduce unexpected elements or variations.
⚡Gold Rule
Context matters
Predictable can be neutral or negative depending on context—it can describe something reliable or something boring.
📖Word Origin
From Middle English 'predictable,' from Latin 'praedictus,' past participle of 'praedicere' (to foretell), from 'prae-' (before) + 'dicere' (to say).
📝Usage Notes
The word is often used to describe things that lack novelty or creativity, sometimes with a negative connotation implying a lack of originality.