French word

prédire

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁediʁ/

Meaning

  • verbpredict

Example

Je ne peux pas prédire qui va gagner.

I can't predict who will win.

Illustration for prédire (predict)

More examples

On ne peut pas toujours prédire les conséquences d'une décision.

You can't always predict the consequences of a decision.

Core concept

A forecast arrow points toward a future event while leaving the outcome open.

Common phrases

  • prédire l'avenir

    predict the future

  • prédire les conséquences

    predict the consequences

Similar words

prévoir: To anticipate what will happen and arrange plans or preparations beforehand.
deviner: To guess an answer when little information is available.
supposer: To assume something may be true despite lacking conclusive evidence.
imaginer: To mentally picture something that is imaginary or has not happened yet.

Definition in French

Dire qu'on suppose ou qu'on annonce qu'un événement se produira dans l'avenir, sans l'affirmer comme certain.

Word origin

French prédire comes from Latin praedicere, formed from prae- meaning 'before' and dicere meaning 'say', or 'say beforehand'.

Usage tips

  • Prédire takes a direct object or a que-clause without a preposition, as in prédire un résultat and prédire que cela arrivera.

Other meanings

  • foretellverb

Related words

  • prédictionpredictionnoun
  • prédictifpredictiveadjective
  • prédictiblepredictableadjective

Word lists with this word