predictable
gb/pɹɪdˈɪktəbəl/ us/pɹɪdˈɪktəbəl/
B2
Inglés
~ 6300
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
B2
property
1
able to be known in advance
Easy to know or say before it happens, because the facts already show what will happen.
Patrón de uso:
a predictable [result/outcome/reaction]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse "predictable" with "probable." "Predictable" means we can clearly see or explain in advance what will happen, often because of a rule or pattern. "Probable" only means something is more likely than not, even if we cannot clearly see a pattern. Also, some learners use "predictable" only in a negative way, but this neutral sense can be either positive or negative depending on context.
Sinónimos
expected (Very close in meaning, but focuses slightly more on what people believe will happen than on the logical pattern behind it.)
|
foreseeable (Slightly more formal; often used for events that could reasonably be seen in advance, especially in legal or analytical contexts.)
Antónimos
unpredictable (Direct opposite; describes something that cannot be known or guessed in advance.)
|
surprising (Opposite in effect; the event is not what people expected based on the information they had.)
Colocaciones
a predictable outcome
|a predictable result
|a predictable consequence
|entirely predictable
|highly predictable
|statistically predictable
Temas
thinking
|science
|society
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- Given the latest polls, the election results were fairly predictable.
- With so little investment in maintenance, the breakdown of the system was sadly predictable.
- The company’s decision to cut costs was predictable after several quarters of falling profits.
- If you look at the data, seasonal changes in sales are quite predictable.
- Under those conditions, the reaction produces a very predictable pattern.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- After weeks of rain, the flood was predictable.
- With such strong evidence, the judge’s decision was predictable.
- If you eat less and move more, weight loss is predictable.
- The movie’s success was predictable because the book was very popular.
- From his bad grades, his failure on the test was predictable.
adjective
B2
property
2
showing regular, dependable behavior
Describes a person, schedule, or system that acts the same way again and again, so you can easily know what they will do.
Patrón de uso:
[someone/something] is predictable
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes think "predictable" is always negative. When talking about people, schedules, or systems, "predictable" is often positive because it suggests safety and reliability (for example, "a predictable routine" is usually a good thing).
Sinónimos
reliable (Adds the idea that you can trust the person or system, not just guess their behavior.)
|
consistent (Focuses on the regular, unchanging quality of behavior rather than on guessing future actions.)
Antónimos
unpredictable (Describes someone or something whose behavior changes in ways that are hard to guess.)
|
erratic (Suggests behavior that changes suddenly and irregularly, often causing problems.)
Colocaciones
a predictable routine
|a predictable schedule
|a predictable pattern of behavior
|emotionally predictable
|predictable working hours
|comfortably predictable
Temas
daily_life
|relationships
|work
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- Children feel safer when their parents are calm and predictable.
- She keeps a very predictable schedule, going to bed at the same time every night.
- The bus service is finally predictable enough that I can plan my commute around it.
- His moods used to be wild, but with treatment he has become much more predictable.
- We need a predictable process so employees know exactly what to expect.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- My boss is very predictable; he always arrives at 8 a.m.
- Young children need a predictable daily routine.
- I like this job because my hours are predictable.
- Her behavior is predictable, so it is easy to work with her.
- The train here is not predictable, so I cannot plan my trips well.
adjective
C1
property
3
boringly easy to guess
Describes something that you can guess too easily, so it is not interesting or new.
Patrón de uso:
a predictable [ending/plot/response]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes use this negative sense when they only mean the neutral idea that something can be known in advance. In reviews and opinions, "predictable" usually means boring or not creative, especially for stories, movies, jokes, and endings.
Sinónimos
obvious (Suggests that the outcome or idea is clear to everyone, often with a similar negative tone of being too easy.)
|
clichéd (Stresses that something has been done or used too many times before and feels worn out.)
|
unoriginal (Focuses directly on the lack of new or creative ideas.)
Antónimos
original (Highlights new and creative qualities, the opposite of something that feels predictable and tired.)
|
surprising (Opposite in emotional effect; the result is unexpected and not easy to guess.)
Colocaciones
a predictable ending
|a predictable plot
|a predictable response
|totally predictable
|sadly predictable
|disappointingly predictable
Temas
entertainment
|opinions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The film’s final twist was so predictable that nobody in the theater seemed shocked.
- Critics complained that the novel had a thin story and a painfully predictable ending.
- His jokes are getting predictable; you can tell the punchline long before he says it.
- Her reaction was disappointingly predictable, given how many times we have discussed this.
- The script follows a predictable pattern of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The story was boring because the ending was predictable.
- I did not enjoy the show; every scene felt predictable.
- His answer was predictable, and nobody was surprised.
- The game was fun at first, but later it became predictable.
- Some people think pop music is too simple and predictable.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
predictable
AFI
GB/pɹɪdˈɪktəbəl/
US/pɹɪdˈɪktəbəl/
Sílabas y acento
pre - dict - able (3 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (dict)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: predictable
Familia de palabras
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
Expresiones
all too predictable
1/ˈɔl tˈu pɹɪdˈɪktəbəl/
fixed phrase
sadly easy to foresee
Used to say that something bad that happened was easy to guess and is not a surprise, and you feel sad or critical about this.
Ejemplos
- Given the lack of safety checks, the accident was all too predictable.
- The scandal was all too predictable in a company with such weak oversight.
- With rents rising so fast, the wave of evictions was all too predictable.
how predictable
1/hˈaʊ pɹɪdˈɪktəbəl/
fixed phrase
spoken comment on an expected event
Used to say, often in an annoyed or sarcastic way, that something was exactly what you expected.
Ejemplos
- He blamed his assistant again, and she just sighed and said, "How predictable."
- Another superhero sequel won the box office this weekend—how predictable.
- When he arrived late for the third time that week, her only comment was, "How predictable."