predicate
Predicate (noun) means the part of a sentence that says something about the subject, containing the verb and anything that goes with it. Example: “In "the dog barked loudly", the predicate is "barked loudly".”
How to Use Predicate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn grammar, the part of the sentence that tells you what the subject does; as a verb, to build something on an assumption.
The verb is formal and appears mostly in the fixed phrase "predicated on". The grammar sense is technical.
The noun and verb are pronounced differently: PRED-i-kuht for the noun, PRED-i-kayt for the verb.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
In "the dog barked loudly", the _____ is "barked loudly".
Etymology
From Latin praedicatum "that which is said of something", from praedicare "to proclaim, declare".
Related Words
Rhymes for predicate
See all rhymes for predicate →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a subject and a predicate?
The subject names who or what the sentence is about; the predicate says something about it. In "my sister works in Leeds", "my sister" is the subject and "works in Leeds" is the predicate.
Does predicate mean predict?
No. They share a Latin root but predict means to say what will happen, while predicate means to base something on something else, or in grammar the part of a sentence containing the verb.
What is a simple predicate?
The simple predicate is just the verb or verb phrase, without its objects or modifiers. In "the dog barked loudly at the postman", the simple predicate is "barked".