predict

Everyday

1. To predict is to say what you think will happen in the future, before it happens. tree →
2. In science, to say what you expect the result of a test to be, using what you already know. tree →

In the lessons

Used in science investigations: "Predict what will happen, then test it" — a prediction is checked against the results. In reading: predict what happens next in the story. In maths: predict the next number in a pattern. Weather forecasters predict the weather.

Examples

• I predict that the ice will melt in ten minutes. tree →
• Predict what will happen next in the story. tree →
• Can you predict the next number: 2, 4, 6, ...? tree →
• The weather forecast predicts rain tomorrow. tree →
• Nobody predicted that our team would win. tree →
• We predicted the heavy ball would fall faster, but they landed together. tree →
• Scientists predict where hurricanes will go. tree →
• It had been predicted that a certain baby princess would begin flying about the world as soon as she was fifteen. tree →

Note

Noun: prediction; adjective: predictable. A prediction is a sensible guess using evidence, not just any wild guess. A prediction can be wrong; that is fine in science.