predictable

adjective

pre·​dict·​able pri-ˈdik-tə-bəl How to pronounce predictable (audio)
Synonyms of predictable
1
: capable of being predicted : able to be known, seen, or declared in advance
a predictable reaction/outcome
a very predictable plot
changes occurring at a steady and predictable rate
2
: behaving in a way that is expected
I knew he would say that. He's so predictable.
predictability
pri-ˌdik-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce predictable (audio)
noun
By comparing the projections, meteorologists can get a measure of the weather's predictability: The less agreement among the forecasts, the less predictable the weather. —Richard Monastersky

Examples of predictable in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Most SaaS pricing models were created around predictable usage patterns; subscriptions assume relatively stable cost structures, but AI breaks that assumption because usage becomes more dynamic. — Channing Ferrer, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026 Congress should pass legislation that ensures predictable payments that reflect fair market rates and removes incentives to exploit arbitration while preserving strong protections against surprise bills. — Christian Swann, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026 What the museum has built, then, is a pliable, predictable, and programmable worker, one that offers all the benefits of Dalí’s celebrity and personality with none of the drawbacks of a worker who might disagree or disobey. — Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026 In the evening, keep a predictable wind-down routine and try not to offer screens before bedtime. — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for predictable

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of predictable was in 1820

Rhymes for predictable

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Cite this Entry

“Predictable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predictable. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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