Word
unpredictability
Phoneticsun·pre·dictabil·i·ty
US/ˌənpɹəˌdɪktəˈbɪɫɪti/
UK/ʌnpɹɪdˌɪktəbˈɪlɪti/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the quality of being hard to guess or plan for. You use this when something changes suddenly and you cannot know what will happen next.
n. the quality of being difficult to foresee or anticipate; a lack of consistency or regularity in behavior or outcomes.
Examples
“The weather in this region is famous for its unpredictability.”
“The stock market's unpredictability makes it a risky choice for people who need their money to stay safe.”
“While the scientist's theory was elegant, its failure to account for the unpredictability of human behavior led to a complete overhaul of the research model.”
Examples
simple
“The weather in this region is famous for its unpredictability.”
contextual
“The stock market's unpredictability makes it a risky choice for people who need their money to stay safe.”
complex
“While the scientist's theory was elegant, its failure to account for the unpredictability of human behavior led to a complete overhaul of the research model.”
Real-World Examples
“Xisco loves his unpredictability and invention, how you can’t take your eyes off him because you might miss him completely change the game.” “Meanwhile, in agentic systems, businesses use multiple AI agents together to make decisions and take actions, further increasing both token use and unpredictability.” Etymology
From un- + predictability.
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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/unpredictability