Word
unpredictable
Phoneticsun·pre·dictable
US/ˌənpɹɪˈdɪktəbəɫ/
UK/ʌnpɹɪdˈɪktəbəl/
Definitions
01not able to be foreseen
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describing something that changes so much you cannot guess what will happen next.
adj. not able to be foreseen or known beforehand; lacking a predictable pattern or consistency.
“The weather in the mountains is unpredictable, so you should bring a rain jacket.”
“The stock market remained highly unpredictable throughout the fiscal year, defying the projections of even the most seasoned financial analysts.”
Antonyms
02behaving unexpectedly
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describing a person who often changes their mood or actions without warning.
adj. behaving in a way that is not easily anticipated; often used to describe temperament or personality.
“He is a talented actor, but his unpredictable temper makes him difficult to work with.”
“The director found the lead actor's unpredictable outbursts exhausting, as they frequently disrupted the filming schedule and lowered the crew's morale.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03an unexpected thing
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a person or thing that you cannot predict.
n. a person, thing, or event that is impossible to predict. Often used in the plural to describe general uncertainties.
“In politics, you must always be prepared for the unpredictable.”
“The strategist argued that the success of the campaign depended on how well the team managed the various unpredictables of the local election cycle.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Hot weather can make travel unpredictable, and access issues can waste valuable time on an already exhausting day.” “This is "leading to last-minute cancellations [and] unpredictable utilisation of donated organs," he warned.” “Venters points out, while token costs might be unpredictable, it might be that the company is ultimately getting more value from their token use with AI.” Etymology
From un- + predictable.
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 Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/unpredictable