unpredictably

Everyday

In a way that cannot be guessed or known before it happens. tree →

In the lessons

Used about weather, animals, people's moods, and in science about results that change from time to time. In maths, chance events like dice rolls behave unpredictably one at a time, yet patterns show over many tries.

Examples

• The weather changes unpredictably in the mountains. tree →
• The puppy ran unpredictably across the park. tree →
• Prices can rise unpredictably. tree →
• The ball bounced unpredictably off the stone. tree →
• Her mood changed unpredictably all day. tree →
• Each roll of a fair dice lands unpredictably, but over many rolls each number comes up about a sixth of the time. tree →

Note

Adverb from unpredictable. Takes «an» before it if a noun follows the adjective (an unpredictable day). Unpredictable does not mean impossible: it means we cannot say in advance.