predictable

/pri'diktəbl/

Thân thiện

The outcome of the experiment was predictable.

Definition

Adjective: 1. Able to be predicted or foreseen: Describes something whose occurrence, nature, or outcome can be known or declared in advance because it follows a regular, obvious, or consistent pattern. 2. Lacking in surprise or variation: Describes something that is so consistent, formulaic, or ordinary that it becomes uninteresting or boring.

Usage and Examples

• General Use: Used to describe events, outcomes, behaviors, or patterns that are not surprising.
  • The movie's plot was very predictable; I guessed the ending after ten minutes.
  • In this climate, rain in April is entirely predictable.
• Describing People or Behavior: Used to describe someone who acts in a way that is always expected.
  • He's so predictable; he always orders the same thing for lunch.
  • Her reaction to the bad news was sadly predictable.

Advanced Usage

• "to be/become predictable": A common structure indicating a state or a change to a state of being foreseeable.
  • After years of the same routine, his life had become utterly predictable.
• "all too predictable": An idiom used to emphasize that something was not only expected but also disappointing or negative.
  • The team's defeat was all too predictable given their recent form.

Variants and Related Words

• Predict (verb): To say that something will happen in the future.
  • Experts predict a rise in temperatures.
• Prediction (noun): A statement about what will happen in the future.
  • Her prediction about the election was correct.
• Predictability (noun): The quality of being predictable.
  • The predictability of the TV show made it boring.
• Unpredictable (adjective): The opposite of predictable; not able to be predicted.
  • The weather here is completely unpredictable.

Synonyms

• Foreseeable: Able to be anticipated or known beforehand.
• Expected: Regarded as likely to happen.
• Anticipated: Expected or predicted.
• Formulaic: Following a standard or formula, often implying a lack of originality.

Antonyms

• Unpredictable: Not able to be predicted.
• Unforeseeable: Not able to be anticipated.
• Surprising: Causing a feeling of surprise.
• Spontaneous: Performed or occurring as a result of a sudden impulse.

Idioms and Phrases

• "As predictable as clockwork": Extremely regular and reliable.
  • He arrives at the office at 8:15 AM every day, as predictable as clockwork.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. capable of being foretold