verb

predicted

pri-DIK-tid

Predicted (verb) means past tense and past participle of predict: said in advance that something would happen, on the basis of evidence, reasoning or experience. Example: “Forecasters predicted the storm four days before it made landfall.”

verb

Past tense and past participle of predict: said in advance that something would happen, on the basis of evidence, reasoning or experience.

"Forecasters predicted the storm four days before it made landfall."

"Nobody predicted that the cheapest bid would also be the fastest."

adjective

Expected on the basis of a model, forecast or calculation, as opposed to what was actually measured.

"The predicted yield was 12 per cent higher than the observed figure."

"Her predicted grades were enough for a conditional offer."

How to Use Predicted

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSaid beforehand that something would happen.

When to use it

Neutral; the adjective use is standard in science, statistics and UK school admissions ('predicted grades').

Memory tip

Predicted takes a that-clause: 'predicted that prices would fall', not 'predicted prices to fall'.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

forecast → prophesied projected → observed →

Common pairings

as predicted widely predicted predicted value predicted grades correctly predicted

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “predicted” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Forecasters _____ the storm four days before it made landfall.

Etymology

From Latin praedicere meaning 'to foretell', from prae 'before' and dicere 'to say'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

View more →

forecast foretold projected anticipated prophesied expected estimated

Antonyms

observed actual measured

Related Words

real due likely figure normal standard expected slow

Rhymes for predicted

addicted afflicted conflicted restricted unrestricted contradicted

See all rhymes for predicted →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between predicted and forecast?

They mean much the same, but forecast implies a systematic method applied to data over a defined period — weather, sales, demand. Predicted is broader and covers any statement made in advance, from a rigorous model to a hunch.

What is the difference between predicted and observed values?

The predicted value is what a model or theory says the result should be; the observed value is what the experiment or measurement actually produced. The gap between them is the residual, and studying those gaps is how models get corrected.

What are predicted grades?

In the UK, predicted grades are the results a teacher expects a student to achieve in their final exams, submitted with a university application before the real results exist. Offers are made conditionally on the actual grades matching or beating a stated threshold.

People Also Searched

real due likely figure normal standard expected slow