UNPREDICTABLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does unpredictable mean? 

• UNPREDICTABLE (adjective)
  The adjective UNPREDICTABLE has 3 senses:

1. not capable of being foretold

2. unknown in advance

3. not occurring at a regular rate or fixed intervals

  Familiarity information: UNPREDICTABLE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• UNPREDICTABLE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not capable of being foretold

Similar:

aleatory (dependent on chance)

capricious; freakish (changeable)

episodic; occasional (occurring or appearing at usually irregular intervals)

unforeseeable (incapable of being anticipated)

Also:

uncertain (not certain to occur; not inevitable)

Antonym:

predictable (capable of being foretold)

Derivation:

unpredictability (lacking predictability)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Unknown in advance

Context example:

an unpredictable (or indeterminable) future

Similar:

indeterminable; undeterminable (not capable of being definitely decided or ascertained)

Derivation:

unpredictability (lacking predictability)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Not occurring at a regular rate or fixed intervals

Synonyms:

irregular; unpredictable

Context example:

an irregular heartbeat

Similar:

sporadic (recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances)

 Context examples 

MS is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that disrupts communication between the brain and other parts of the body.

(Vitamin D Levels Predict Multiple Sclerosis Progression, NIH)

Methane previously had been detected in Mars' atmosphere in large, unpredictable plumes.

(NASA Finds Ancient Organic Material, Mysterious Methane on Mars, NASA)

You might have more unsettling news regarding this area when Mars opposes unpredictable Uranus on November 24.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Subordinate meerkats die due to sudden, unpredictable circumstances such as exposure to predators, killing them instantly.

(Breeder meerkats age faster, but their subordinates still die younger, University of Cambridge)

These features are known as phenotypically plastic traits, and are important in allowing the organism to cope with unpredictable environments.

(Virus genes help determine if pea aphids get wings, National Science Foundation)

Growing pluripotent cells derived from EG cells requires the generation of embryoid bodies, which consist of an unpredictable mix of partially differentially cell types.

(EG Cell Line, NCI Thesaurus)

But every decade or so, something unpredictable happens: A series of runaway storms breaks out, covering the entire planet in a dusty haze.

(Global Storms on Mars Launch Dust Towers Into the Sky, NASA)

However, geologists and astronomers have struggled to extend the astronomical time scale farther back than 50 million years because of solar system chaos, which has made the time scale unpredictable beyond a certain point.

(Deep-sea sediments lead to new understanding of solar system, National Science Foundation)

Any day this month would be a fine day to travel except November 24, when Mars will oppose unpredictable Uranus giving you unpredictable and sudden travel difficulties

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

One involves warrior Mars directly opposed to unpredictable Uranus, a volatile aspect where tempers (yours and others’) could easily flare.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)