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foreseeable
/fɔːrˈsiːəbl/
able to be predicted
The risks were foreseeable, so the company should have prepared better.
The dangers were predictable, meaning the company could have anticipated them.
formal
Able to be anticipated or predicted in advance.
In legal terms, a foreseeable consequence is one that a reasonable person could predict.
Legally, a foreseeable outcome is one that anyone with common sense would expect.
The weather forecast warned of foreseeable storms, so we canceled the outdoor event.
The storm was predicted in advance, so we avoided scheduling the event outside.
Commonly used in legal, business, and risk management contexts to describe events that could reasonably be expected.
Collocations
foreseeable futurethe near period of time that can be predictedforeseeable risksdangers that can be anticipatedforeseeable consequencesoutcomes that can be reasonably expected
Pro Tip
Avoid redundancy
Do not pair 'foreseeable' with words like 'future' unless emphasizing time (e.g., 'foreseeable future' is acceptable, but 'foreseeable risks' is clearer without 'future').
Gold Rule
Context matters
Use 'foreseeable' when referring to significant or consequential events that are predictable, not minor or trivial ones.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'foreseen' (past participle of 'foresee'), combining 'fore-' (before) + 'see'. First recorded in the 14th century as a verb, later evolving into the adjective form.
Usage Notes
Often used in formal contexts, particularly in legal, financial, or strategic discussions. Avoid using it to describe trivial or obvious predictions; it implies a level of significance or consequence.
Word Breakdown
fore-
before or ahead
prefixsee
to perceive or understand
root-able
capable of being
suffixEnglish Dictionary