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predict
/prɪˈdɪkt/
say something will happen
Meteorologists predict heavy rain for tomorrow.
Experts state that rain is likely to occur based on data.
general
To say that something will happen in the future, often based on knowledge or analysis.
It is difficult to predict the outcome of the election.
It is hard to say who will win before the votes are counted.
Used when making a statement about a future event.
Technology
technical
To estimate a future value or trend using data and models.
The algorithm predicts user behavior with high accuracy.
The software calculates what users will likely do next.
Common in AI and data science contexts.
Finance
formal
To forecast market trends or financial outcomes.
Analysts predict a rise in interest rates.
Experts expect borrowing costs to increase.
Often used in economic reports.
Collocations
predict the futureto say what will happen laterpredict accuratelyto guess correctlyhard to predictdifficult to know in advance
Synonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Prediction vs. Prophecy
Use 'predict' for logical guesses based on evidence. Use 'prophecy' for divine or mystical revelations.
Gold Rule
Evidence-Based
A prediction usually implies some basis in data or observation, unlike a random guess.
Word Origin
From Latin praedicere, meaning 'to declare beforehand' (prae- 'before' + dicere 'to say').
Usage Notes
Use 'predict' for general future events. Use 'forecast' for weather or economic trends. Use 'prophecy' for religious or mystical predictions.
Word Breakdown
pre-
before
prefix-dict
to say
rootEnglish Dictionary