Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.
Definition: Unpredictable |
UnpredictableAdjective1. Impossible to foretell. 2. Unknown in advance; "an unpredictable (or indeterminable) future". 3. Not occurring at expected times. Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. |
Date "unpredictable" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1895. (references) |
Synonym: UnpredictableSynonym: irregular (adj). (additional references) |
| Antonym: predictable (adj). (additional references) |
| Context | Synonyms within Context (source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus). |
Inexpectation | Unpredictable, unforeseeable (unknowable). |
Intention | Unforeseeable, unpredictable, chancy, risky, speculative, dicey. |
Uncertainty | Unpredictable, unforeseeable (unknowable). |
Unintelligibility | Unpredictable, unforeseeable. |
| Source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus. | |
Crosswords: Unpredictable |
| English words defined with "unpredictable": bad luck ♦ can of worms, capriciousness, chance, chaotic ♦ disorderly ♦ erratic, erratically, even chance ♦ fickle, fluctuating, fortune ♦ hazard ♦ luck ♦ mercurial, mischance, mishap ♦ panic disorder ♦ quicksilver ♦ sporadic, swing voter ♦ toss-up, treacherous ♦ unpredictability, unpredictably, unreliable, ununderstood. (references) |
| Specialty definitions using "unpredictable": eddy flow ♦ flash-arc ♦ lossless audio compression ♦ pseudo-random ♦ Rocky-Point effect ♦ secretory otitis media, Social Alienation, sudden failure ♦ unexplained variation. (references) |
| Domain | Usage | |
Screenplays | 200 degrees in the sunlight, minus 200 in the shade, canyons of razor-sharp rock, unpredictable gravitational conditions, unexpected eruptions, things like that. (Armageddon; writing credit: Robert Roy Pool; Jonathan Hensleigh) Well, see, I like that you're unpredictable. (Buffy the Vampire Slayer; writing credit: Doreen Spicer) Sir, I know she's unpredictable, but I don't think she'd harm anyone. (Firefly; writing credit: Michael Mates) | |
Clever | Sleeping on the job: Ah, the unique and unpredictable circadian rhythms of the workaholic! (references; author: unknown) | |
Movie/TV Titles | The Unpredictable Leader (1965) | |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | ||
| Domain | Title | ||
Books |
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Music |
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Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |||
| Subject | Topic | Quote |
Health | PCP's effects are unpredictable. (references) | |
This hypothesis is consistent with PPS's slow, stepwise, unpredictable course. (references) | ||
My menstrual cycle, which was always regular, is now irritatingly unpredictable. (references) | ||
Economic History | Lebanon | Still, the operating environment can be unpredictable and opaque. (references) |
Ukraine | Never put your fate in the hands of the unpredictable Ukrainian courts. (references) | |
Vietnam | The time involved for clearance and delivery can be lengthy and unpredictable. (references) | |
Political Economy | UKRAINE | They ranked Ukraine as the world's ninth most corrupt nation in 2001. Procedures for obtaining various licenses remain complex, unpredictable and subject to graft. (references) |
NORWAY | These unpredictable administrative tariff adjustments disrupt advance purchase orders and limit agricultural imports into Norway from the U.S. and other distant markets. (references) | |
Korea | However, the country's economic growth was dependent on key export products, and weakness in the financial system left the economy susceptible to unpredictable external conditions. (references) | |
Trade | Tanzania | These hindrances can also cause unpredictable delays when importing goods into the country. (references) |
Azerbaijan | Non-tariff barriers include a weak and unpredictable legal regime, arbitrary tax and customs administration, clear conflicts of interest in regulatory/commercial matters, and corruption. (references) | |
Saudi Arabia | On rare occasions the Saudi Embassy or Consulates may grant, at their discretion, sponsorless business visas to employees of prominent American firms, but this practice is unpredictable. (references) | |
Travel | Kenya | These are often spontaneous, unpredictable, and sometimes violent. (references) |
Ukraine | Air travel within Ukraine is often unreliable, with unpredictable schedules and service not on par with Western standards. (references) | |
Kenya | Excessive speed, unpredictable local driving habits, poor vehicle maintenance and the lack of basic safety equipment on many vehicles are daily hazards on Kenyan roads. (references) | |
Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits. | ||
| Speaker | Term | Phrase(s) |
Jimmy Carter | 1977-1981 | Changing and unpredictable economic circumstances require that we continue to monitor the financial stability of the social security system. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | ||
| "Unpredictable" is generally used as an adjective (general or positive) -- approximately 99.42% of the time. "Unpredictable" is used about 683 times out of a sample of 100 million words spoken or written in English. Its rank is based on over 700,000 words used in the English language. Some parts-of-speech are not covered due to the samples used by the British National Corpus. (note: percents less than one-hundredth of one percent have been omitted) |
| Parts of Speech | Percent | Usage per 100 Million Words | Rank in English |
| Adjective (general or positive) | 99.42% | 679 | 9,730 |
| Noun (proper) | 0.58% | 4 | 175,879 |
| Total | 100.00% | 683 | N/A |
Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.
| The following statistics estimate the number of searches per day across the major English-language search engines as identified by various trade publications. Hyperlinks lead to commercial use of the expression at Amazon.com. |
| Expression | Frequency per Day |
unpredictable | 28 |
lyrics unpredictable | 15 |
chante keshia unpredictable | 9 |
chante keshia lyrics unpredictable | 5 |
chante keisha unpredictable | 4 |
its something unpredictable | 4 |
chante keisha lyrics unpredictable | 3 |
something unpredictable | 3 |
mystikal unpredictable | 3 |
keshia lyrics unpredictable | 2 |
classified unpredictable | 2 |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| Language | Translations for "unpredictable"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Arabic | لا يمكن التنبؤ به. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bulgarian | който не може да се предскаже, който не може да се предвиди (imponderable, incalculable), неуравновесен (flighty, lop-sided, temperamental, unbalanced, unballasted, unstable). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chinese | 变化莫测. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Danish | uforudsigelig stoej (unpredictable noise), termisk ustabilitet (unpredictable heat resistance). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dutch | thermische onstabiliteit (unpredictable heat resistance), onvoorspelbare ruis (unpredictable noise). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Farsi | غیرقابل پیشگوءی , غیرقابل استناد, دمدمی (Ambivalent, Quirk, Uncertain). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Finnish | terminen epästabiilius (unpredictable heat resistance), epävarma lämmönkesto (unpredictable heat resistance), ennakoimaton häiriö (unpredictable noise). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
French | incertain (uncertain, unclear, undecided, unsettled, unstable, unsteady), imprévisible (unpredictably), impossible prévoir, changeant, capricieux. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
German | unberechenbar (erratic, imponderable, incalculable, incalculably, incomputable, uncertain, unreckonable, wayward), unvorhersagbar. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Greek | απρόβλεπτοσ. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hebrew | בלתי רא" מראש. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hungarian | kiszámíthatatlan (erratic, imponderable, incalculable, wacky). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Italian | imprevedibile (unforeseeable, unreckonable). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Japanese Kanji | 人"万事塞翁が馬 (fortune is unpredictable and changeable, inscrutable are the ways of heaven). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Japanese Katakana | に"'"ば"じさいおうがうま (fortune is unpredictable and changeable, inscrutable are the ways of heaven). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Korean | 예측 수 없". (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pig Latin | edictableunpray imprevisto (contretemps, sudden, surprising, uncontemplated, undesigned, unexpected, unforeseen, unlooked-for), imprevisível. (various references) непредсказуемый (unforeseeable). (various references) nepredvidljiv (unforeseeable), nepredvidiv, koji se ne može proreći. (various references) imprevisible (freak, freakish). (various references) oförutsägbar. (various references) sağı solu belli olmaz (incalculable), ne yapacağı belli olmaz, önceden bilinmez. (various references) непередбачуваний. (various references) không thể nói trước, không thể đoán trước được. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivations | |
Words beginning with "unpredictable": unpredictables. (additional references) | |
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"Unpredictable" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: unprodictable. (additional references) | |
| Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references). | |
| # of Phoneme Matches | Pronunciation | Word(s) rhyming with "unpredictable" (pronounced u'nprudi"ktubul) |
| 11 | -p r u d i" k t u b u l | predictable. |
| 6 | -k t u b u l | collectible, deductible, delectable, detectable, electable, indestructible, injectable, intractable, nondeductible, respectable, retractable, tractable, uncollectible, undetectable, unelectable. |
| 5 | -t u b u l | acceptable, accountable, adaptable, adjustable, adoptable, attributable, charitable, comfortable, compatible, constable, contemptible, contestable, convertible, copyrightable, countable, creditable, debatable, digestible, discountable, disreputable, eatable, equitable, excitable, exportable, forfeitable, forgettable, habitable, harvestable, heritable, hospitable, imitable, immutable, imperceptible, implantable, incompatible, incontrovertible, indisputable, indomitable, inequitable, inevitable, inexhaustible, inflatable, inheritable, inhospitable, inimitable, inscrutable, insupportable, insurmountable, interruptible, investable, irrefutable, irresistible, irritable, lamentable, marketable, nonconvertible, notable, palatable, patentable, perceptible, portable, potable, presentable, preventable, printable, profitable, prosecutable, quotable, redoubtable, regrettable, rentable, repeatable, reportable, reputable, resettable, suggestible, suitable, supportable, susceptible, transmittable, transportable, treatable, unacceptable, unaccountable, unbeatable, uncomfortable, unforgettable, uninhabitable, unpalatable, unprintable, unprofitable, unsuitable, unsupportable, vegetable, veritable. |
| 4 | -u b u l | abominable, accessible, achievable, actionable, addressable, admirable, admissible, adorable, advisable, affable, affordable, agreeable, allowable, amenable, amendable, amiable, amicable, analyzable, answerable, appealable, applicable, appreciable, approachable, approvable, arable, arguable, attainable, audible, available, avoidable, bankable, bearable, believable, billable, biodegradable, breakable, buildable, burnable, callable, cannibal, capable, changeable, chargeable, classifiable, collapsible, Combinable, commendable, communicable, comparable, compensable, comprehensible, conceivable, confirmable, considerable, consumable, controllable, credible, crucible, culpable, curable, defensible, definable, degradable, deliverable, demonstrable, dependable, deplorable, deployable, depreciable, describable, desirable, despicable, detachable, determinable, developable, disagreeable, discernible, discoverable, dishonorable, dispensable, disposable, distinguishable, divisible, doable, drinkable, drivable, durable, edible, eligible, Embraceable, employable, enforceable, enjoyable, enviable, equable, erasable, erodible, estimable, exchangeable, excludable, excusable, execrable, exercisable, expandable, expendable, explainable, extendable, extendible, fallible, fashionable, fathomable, favorable, feasible, fissionable, fixable, flammable, flexible, forcible, foreseeable, forgivable, formidable, fungible, fusible, gullible, hon, honorable, horrible, identifiable, illegible, imaginable, immiscible, immovable, impassable, impeachable, impeccable, impenetrable, impermissible, implacable, implausible, imponderable, impossible, impracticable, impregnable, impressionable, improbable, inaccessible, inadmissible, inadvisable, inalienable, inapplicable, inaudible, incalculable, incapable, incomparable, incomprehensible, incompressible, inconceivable, incorrigible, incredible, incurable, indefatigable, indefensible, indefinable, indelible, indescribable, indispensable, indistinguishable, indivisible, inedible, ineffable, ineligible, inescapable, inexcusable, inexorable, inexplicable, infallible, infeasible, inflammable, inflexible, innumerable, inoperable, insatiable, inseparable, insoluble, insufferable, intangible, intelligible, interchangeable, interminable, intolerable, invaluable, invincible, inviolable, invisible, invulnerable, irascible, irreconcilable, irremediable, irreparable, irreplaceable, irrepressible, irresponsible, irreversible, irrevocable, issuable, justifiable, knowledgeable, laudable, laughable, leasable, legible, liable, likable, likeable, livable, lovable, malleable, manageable, mandible, maneuverable, measurable, memorable, microwavable, miscible, miserable, moldable, movable, navigable, negligible, negotiable, noncallable, nondurable, nonrefundable, nonrenewable, nontaxable, nontransferable, noticeable, objectionable, observable, obtainable, operable, ostensible, palpable, parable, passable, payable, peaceable, perishable, permeable, permissible, personable, persuadable, pitiable, plausible, pleasurable, pliable, possible, practicable, preferable, probable, programmable, provable, punishable, questionable, reachable, readable, realizable, reasonable, receivable, rechargeable, recognizable, recordable, recoverable, recyclable, redeemable, reducible, refundable, reliable, remarkable, removable, renewable, repairable, repayable, replaceable, reprehensible, resealable, responsible, returnable, reusable, reversible, revocable, ridable, salable, saleable, salvageable, seasonable, sensible, serviceable, sizable, sizeable, sociable, soluble, solvable, spendable, submersible, survivable, sustainable, syllable, talkable, tangible, taxable, teachable, tenable, terrible, tolerable, traceable, tradable, tradeable, trainable, transferable, transferrable, tunable, typeable, unaffordable, unalienable, unalterable, unanswerable, unassailable, unattainable, unavailable, unavoidable, unbearable, unbelievable, unbuildable, unconscionable, uncontrollable, undeniable, understandable, undesirable, unemployable, unenforceable, unenviable, unexplainable, unfashionable, unfathomable, unfavorable, unfeasible, unflappable, unforeseeable, unforgivable, ungovernable, unimaginable, unimpeachable, uninsurable, unintelligible, unjustifiable, unknowable, unlivable, unmanageable, unmentionable, unmistakable, unobtainable, unquestionable, unreachable, unreadable, unreasonable, unrecognizable, unreliable, unremarkable, unsalable, unshakable, unsinkable, unsolvable, unspeakable, unstoppable, unsustainable, untenable, unthinkable, untouchable, untraceable, unusable, unverifiable, unwinnable, unworkable, usable, variable, venerable, verifiable, viable, visible, voluble, vulnerable, washable, wearable, winnable, workable. |
| 3 | -b u l | able, amble, assemble, babble, Babel, bauble, bible, bramble, bubble, Bumble, cable, cobble, coble, corbel, crumble, cymbal, dabble, Dibble, disable, disassemble, dissemble, double, Drabble, dribble, enable, enfeeble, ennoble, ensemble, fable, feeble, foible, fumble, gable, gamble, Garble, global, gobble, Gribble, grumble, hardscrabble, herbal, hobble, humble, ignoble, immeasurable, immobile, intertribal, jumble, kibble, label, libel, marble, mislabel, mobile, mumble, nibble, nimble, noble, nonverbal, pebble, preamble, psychobabble, quibble, rabble, ramble, reassemble, rebel, redouble, relabel, resemble, Roble, rouble, roundtable, rubble, Ruble, rumble, sable, Scrabble, scramble, scribble, shamble, Sibyl, squabble, Stabile, stable, stubble, stumble, symbol, table, thimble, timetable, treble, tremble, tribal, trouble, tubal, tumble, turntable, umbel, unable, unscramble, unserviceable, unstable, valuable, verbal, wamble, wobble. |
Source: compiled by the editor (additional references); see credits. | ||
Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams | |
| Words within the letters "a-b-c-d-e-e-i-l-n-p-r-t-u" | |
-2 letters: binucleated, blueprinted, predictable, reduplicate, unliberated. | |
-3 letters: adulterine, binucleate, credential, creditable, crenulated, epicentral, inculpated, ineducable, interlaced, interplead, lubricated, pediculate, predicable, prudential, replicated, republican, uncarpeted. | |
-4 letters: acidulent, antiulcer, bepainted, blueprint, breadline, butadiene, calenture, calipered, celebrant, centupled, crenulate, curtailed, curtained, decaliter, duplicate, elucidate, endurable, epicurean, eruptible, euclidean, incubated, inculpate, incurable, interclub, interlace, interlude, interpled, liberated, lubricant. | |
| Words containing the letters "a-b-c-d-e-e-i-l-n-p-r-t-u" | |
+1 letter: unpredictables. | |
+5 letters: unpredictabilities. | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. | |
Hexadecimal (or equivalents, 770AD-1900s) (references)55 6E 70 72 65 64 69 63 74 61 62 6C 65 |
| Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519; backwards) (references)
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| American Sign Language (origins from 1620-1817 in Italy and, especially, France) (references)
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| Semaphore (1791, in France) (references)
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| Braille (1829, in France) (references)
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Morse Code (1836) (references)..- -. .--. .-. . -.. .. -.-. - .- -... .-.. . |
| Dancing Men (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 1903) (references)
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Binary Code (1918-1938, probably earlier) (references)01010101 01101110 01110000 01110010 01100101 01100100 01101001 01100011 01110100 01100001 01100010 01101100 01100101 |
HTML Code (1990) (references)U n p r e d i c t a b l e |
ISO 10646 (1991-1993) (references)0055 006E 0070 0072 0065 0064 0069 0063 0074 0061 0062 006C 0065 |
| British Sign Language (Fingerspelling, BSL; 1992, British Deaf Association Dictionary of British Sign Language) (references)
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Encryption (beginner's substitution cypher): (references)55808284717075698667687871 |
| 1. Definition 2. Synonyms 3. Crosswords 4. Usage: Modern | 5. Usage: Commercial 6. Quotations: Non-fiction 7. Quotations: Speeches 8. Usage Frequency | 9. Expressions: Internet 10. Translations: Modern 11. Derivations 12. Rhymes | 13. Anagrams 14. Orthography 15. Bibliography |
Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.
