unpredictable
adj. · n.-
1 not able to be foreseen (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatedescribing something that changes so much you cannot guess what will happen next.
not able to be foreseen or known beforehand; lacking a predictable pattern or consistency.
ExampleThe weather in the mountains is unpredictable, so you should bring a rain jacket.
ExampleThe stock market remained highly unpredictable throughout the fiscal year, defying the projections of even the most seasoned financial analysts.
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2 behaving unexpectedly (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatedescribing a person who often changes their mood or actions without warning.
behaving in a way that is not easily anticipated; often used to describe temperament or personality.
ExampleHe is a talented actor, but his unpredictable temper makes him difficult to work with.
ExampleThe director found the lead actor's unpredictable outbursts exhausting, as they frequently disrupted the filming schedule and lowered the crew's morale.
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3 an unexpected thing (n.) C1 Advanced Formala person or thing that you cannot predict.
a person, thing, or event that is impossible to predict. Often used in the plural to describe general uncertainties.
ExampleIn politics, you must always be prepared for the unpredictable.
ExampleThe strategist argued that the success of the campaign depended on how well the team managed the various unpredictables of the local election cycle.
From un- + predictable.