predictable

adjective

pre·​dict·​able pri-ˈdik-tə-bəl 

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 

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

Recent Examples on the Web

But the truth is, Seattle’s shortcomings on offense and defense were predictable. —Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025

In conjunction with the 911's variable ratio power steering, the result is precise, predictable steering and intuitive maneuverability. —Mark Phelan, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025

Road crashes are predictable and preventable. —Tanya Mohn, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025

Although several of the film’s surprises are predictable — usually just moments before the reversal comes — no one is likely to figure out Rahim’s connection to the bomb. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for predictable

• indictable
• unpredictable