Word
predictable
Phoneticspre·dictable
US/pɹiˈdɪktəbəɫ/
UK/pɹɪdˈɪktəbəl/
Definitions
01able to be expected
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. happening in a way that you expect and are not surprised by.
adj. capable of being foretold or anticipated based on prior experience or logical patterns.
“The weather here is very predictable; it rains almost every afternoon in the summer.”
“The financial markets reacted in a predictable manner to the central bank's announcement, as the rate hike had been anticipated for weeks.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02unoriginal or boring
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. boring because you always know what will happen next.
adj. lacking in novelty or creative surprise; often used pejoratively to describe artistic works or personal behaviour.
“The movie was so predictable that I knew the ending after the first ten minutes.”
“Critics dismissed the novel as predictable, noting that the plot relied heavily on tired tropes and two-dimensional characters.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03a predictable thing
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Informal
n. a person or thing that always behaves in the same way.
n. a person, event, or entity whose actions or outcomes are entirely expected. Used rarely and typically in informal contexts.
“He is such a predictable; he always orders the same coffee at exactly 8:00 AM.”
“In a world of political volatility, the senator remained a predictable, consistently voting along party lines regardless of public pressure.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “predictable” in context.
Verb
01. become predictable
“The comedian's jokes have become predictable over the years, and he is losing his popularity.”
verb + adj
02. remain predictable
“Despite the changes in management, the company's annual growth has remained predictable.”
verb + adj
Adjective
03. predictable and boring
“Critics complained that the plot was predictable and boring, offering nothing new to the audience.”
adj + and + adj
04. predictable outcome
“The predictable outcome of the match disappointed fans who were hoping for an upset.”
adj + noun
05. predictable pattern
“The disease follows a predictable pattern of symptoms that doctors can easily identify.”
adj + noun
Adverb
06. entirely predictable
“The ending of the movie was entirely predictable, following every cliché in the book.”
adv + adj
07. highly predictable
“The stock market's reaction to the news was highly predictable given the current economic climate.”
adv + adj
Real-World Examples
“And given Farage triggered this race and the result was entirely predictable, what was the point of it all?” “Frank O’Hara, which I know is one of the most predictable answers a poet can give, but for good reason.” “The problem is this process is not entirely predictable.” “It took an import collapse and a price spike for a rather predictable lesson to land.” Etymology
From predict + -able.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
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