# prediction

/pɹiˈdɪkʃən/ (US) · /pɹɪdˈɪkʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prediction
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. future forecast

noun · CEFR B1

a statement about what you think will happen in the future.

For teachers: a statement or declaration regarding a future event, often based on current evidence or intuition.

- The weather prediction said it would rain, but the sun is out.
- Economic analysts are hesitant to make a firm prediction about the market's recovery until the new trade figures are released next month.

### 2. statistical estimation

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic · Technical

a guess about a result based on numbers and data.

For teachers: a probability estimation or expected value derived from statistical methods or computational models.

- The computer model uses past data to make a prediction about sales.
- The algorithm generates a prediction by analysing thousands of variables to determine the most likely outcome for each individual user.

Usage: Often used with the verb 'generate' or 'yield' in data science contexts.

## Examples

- The weather prediction says it will rain tomorrow.
- Economists are making a prediction that interest rates will remain stable for the rest of the year.
- While the model's prediction was accurate regarding the direction of the trend, it failed to account for the magnitude of the market's sudden volatility.

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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.