# predict

/pɹiˈdɪkt/ (US) · /pɹɪdˈɪkt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/predict
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to forecast the future

verb · CEFR B1 · Academic · General-service

to say that an event will happen in the future.

For teachers: to state that a specific event will happen in the future based on current knowledge or reasoning.

- It is difficult to predict the weather more than a few days in advance.
- Economists failed to predict the sudden market crash despite several warning signs in the housing sector.

Usage: Often followed by a noun phrase or a 'that' clause.

### 2. to aim a weapon

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to aim a weapon at a moving target by calculating where it will be.

For teachers: to direct a ranged weapon against a target using a predictor device to calculate lead and elevation.

- The system was designed to predict the path of incoming missiles.
- Advanced fire-control systems are required to predict the trajectory of supersonic aircraft with sufficient accuracy for interception.

Usage: Used primarily in technical military contexts regarding ballistics.

## Examples

- Experts predict that the weather will be sunny tomorrow.
- Economists predict a slow recovery for the housing market after the recent changes in interest rates.
- While historical data can help analysts predict market trends with some accuracy, unforeseen geopolitical events often disrupt even the most sophisticated statistical models.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.