Unpredictable Meaning
/ˌʌnprɪˈdɪktəbəl/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjUnable to be predicted.
nounAn unpredictable thing.
Sentence Examples
The accident was caused chiefly by the unpredictable weather.
Both of them are unpredictable and impatient.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The weather in this region is ____, changing from sunny to rainy in minutes.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The weather in the mountains can be very ____, so you should always carry some warm and waterproof clothes today.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Germanic *un- Proto-West Germanic *un- Old English un- Middle English un- English un- English predict Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlom Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlis Proto-Italic *-ðlis Latin -bilis Latin -ābilis Old French -ablebor. Middle English -able English -able English predictable English unpredictable From un- + predictable.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"It has, therefore, always been a major problem for South African railways to cater adequately for this unpredictable city; three stations have had to be built on the present site during the last fifty years."
— 1958 September 26, C. Alan Cook, “Johannesburg's Fourth Station”, in Railway Magazine, page 639:
"Sharks are not unpredictable; for the most part, they do exactly what an apex predator is expected to do."
— 1983, Richard Ellis, The Book of Sharks, Knopf, →ISBN, page 146:
"Other unpredictables, like the recent unexpected blizzards and those of 2 years ago, or a hurricane can cost us many thousands of dollars, and have a severe impact on equipment and facilities."
— 1960, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Motor Vehicle Safety: Hearing..., page 12:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The weather in this region is ____, changing from sunny to rainy in minutes.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The weather in the mountains can be very ____, so you should always carry some warm and waterproof clothes today.