Definition

Noun: 1. A statement made about the future: A prediction is a specific claim or forecast about what will happen at a later time. 2. The act of predicting (as by reasoning about the future): This refers to the process or action of making such a forecast, often based on analysis, data, or intuition.

Examples of Usage

• The weather prediction for tomorrow is rain and strong winds.
• Her prediction about the election results turned out to be correct.
• The economist's prediction of a market downturn caused concern among investors.
• Making an accurate prediction in this field is very difficult.

Advanced Usage

• "Bold prediction": A forecast that is surprising or goes against common expectation.
  • His bold prediction that the team would win the championship seemed foolish at the time.
• "Self-fulfilling prediction/prophecy": A forecast that causes itself to become true because people, knowing the prediction, act in ways that bring it about.
  • The rumor of a bank's instability became a self-fulfilling prediction when everyone rushed to withdraw their money.

Variants and Related Words

• Predict (verb): To state that something will happen in the future.
  • Experts predict a rise in global temperatures.
• Predictable (adjective): Able to be predicted; happening or behaving in an expected way.
  • The movie's plot was very predictable.
• Predictability (noun): The quality of being predictable.
  • The predictability of his routine was comforting.
• Predictive (adjective): Relating to or having the function of predicting.
  • The software uses predictive analytics to forecast sales.

Synonyms

• Forecast: Often used for weather or economic predictions based on data.
• Prophecy: Often implies divine inspiration or mystical knowledge.
• Prognostication: A formal or technical term for a prediction, often in medicine.
• Projection: An estimate or forecast based on current trends or data.

Related Phrases

• "Make a prediction": To state what one thinks will happen.
  • I'm not ready to make a prediction about the game's outcome.
• "Contrary to all predictions": Happening in a way that no one forecasted.
  • Contrary to all predictions, the underdog team won easily.

Noun

1. a statement made about the future
2. the act of predicting (as by reasoning about the future)