unpredictable

adjective

un·​pre·​dict·​able ˌən-pri-ˈdik-tə-bəl 

: not predictable: such as

a

: not able to be known or declared in advance

unpredictable weather

b

: tending to behave in ways that cannot be predicted

an unpredictable boss

unpredictably

ˌən-pri-ˈdik-tə-blē 

adverb

changes that occur unpredictably

unpredictability

ˌən-pri-ˌdik-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

the unpredictability of the weather

Synonyms

• capricious
• changeable
• changeful
• fickle
• flickery
• fluctuating
• fluid
• inconsistent
• inconstant
• mercurial
• mutable
• skittish
• temperamental
• uncertain
• unsettled
• unstable
• unsteady
• variable
• volatile

Examples of unpredictable in a Sentence

unpredictable spring weather that makes it really hard to know what to wear

Recent Examples on the Web

Fittingly, given the unpredictable nature of the campaign, who knows what the result or circumstances will be at Tottenham Hotspur on the day Hurzeler’s first season draws to a close? —Andy Naylor, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025

Zoom out: Trump's trade policy is unpredictable, with tariffs being set and changed constantly. —Felix Salmon, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025

Probably Not Complicating matters is that Trump’s trade policy is unpredictable. —Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025

The menu is as unpredictable as the music, zigzagging among Asian, Mediterranean and Latin influences before skidding to a stop at dessert. —Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unpredictable

• indictable
• predictable

Kids Definition

unpredictable

adjective

un·​pre·​dict·​able

ˌən-pri-ˈdik-tə-bəl

: not predictable

unpredictability

-ˌdik-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē

noun

unpredictably

-ˈdik-tə-blē

adverb