Predictions: meaning, definitions and examples

🔮
Add to dictionary

predictions

 

[prɪˈdɪkʃənz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

future events

Statements made about what will happen in the future, often based on current information or trends. Predictions can be made by individuals, organizations, or machines.

Synonyms

forecasts, projections, prophecies.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
predictions

General term for statements about future events. Often based on information or intuition.

  • The predictions for tomorrow's weather are quite accurate
  • Many people made predictions about the outcome of the match
forecasts

Statements about future events usually based on systematic analysis or models, commonly used in weather and economic contexts.

  • The weather forecast predicts rain for the weekend
  • Economic forecasts suggest a recovery in the next quarter
projections

Estimates of future events or trends based on current data and analysis, often used in business, finance, and planning contexts.

  • The company's financial projections for the next year are optimistic
  • Population growth projections indicate an increase in urban areas
prophecies

Statements about future events presented as inevitable or divinely inspired, often found in religious or mystical contexts. Can carry a negative connotation if perceived as unrealistic or overly mystical.

  • The ancient prophecy spoke of a great change coming to the kingdom
  • Many people were skeptical of her prophecies

Examples of usage

  • His predictions about the stock market have been surprisingly accurate.
  • The weather forecast includes predictions of rain for the weekend.
  • I read my horoscope for fun, but I don't take the predictions too seriously.
Context #2 | Noun

psychic abilities

Claims made by individuals who claim to have the ability to predict future events through supernatural means. These predictions are often based on intuition, visions, or communication with spirits.

Synonyms

forecasts, premonitions, prophecies.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
predictions

Used in a general sense to refer to a statement about what will happen in the future. Commonly used in scientific, financial, or casual contexts.

  • The scientist made predictions about the climate change.
  • There are many predictions about next year's economic performance.
prophecies

Usually related to religious, mythological, or spiritual contexts, referring to a prediction made by someone believed to have divine insight.

  • The ancient prophecy spoke of a hero who would save the world.
  • Many people believed in the prophecy of the wise oracle.
forecasts

Often used in meteorological, economic, and business contexts to describe a prediction based on analysis and data.

  • The weather forecast predicts rain for this weekend.
  • The company's revenue forecast for the next quarter looks promising.
premonitions

Used to describe a strong feeling that something is about to happen, typically something bad. Often has a mystical or intuitive connotation.

  • She had a premonition that something terrible was going to happen that night.
  • Despite the good news, he couldn't shake off the premonition of impending trouble.

Examples of usage

  • The psychic made several predictions about my future.
  • She claimed to have psychic abilities that allowed her to make accurate predictions.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin root 'praedictio', meaning 'to foretell or proclaim beforehand'.
  • In Middle English, it evolved to ‘prediccion’ before modern usage solidified.

Science

  • In meteorology, predictions often rely on data modeling, where scientists analyze climate trends to forecast weather.
  • Life scientists use predictions to assess the effects of climate change on species survival and ecosystem balance.

Psychology

  • Humans use predictions as a way to plan their actions based on expected outcomes, which is vital for decision-making.
  • Cognitive biases can often skew personal predictions, such as the overconfidence effect, where people overestimate their knowledge.

Pop Culture

  • In many films and books, characters often make predictions about plot twists, creating suspense and excitement.
  • Fortune tellers and psychics in media often symbolize the fascination society has with knowing the future.

Technology

  • Artificial intelligence systems now make predictions based on big data analytics, impacting businesses and personal recommendations.
  • Predictive analytics is commonly used in various fields, including healthcare, to forecast patient issues before they arise.

Translations

Translations of the word "predictions" in other languages:

🇵🇹 previsões

🇮🇳 पूर्वानुमान

🇩🇪 Vorhersagen

🇮🇩 ramalan

🇺🇦 прогнози

🇵🇱 przewidywania

🇯🇵 予測 (yosoku)

🇫🇷 prévisions

🇪🇸 predicciones

🇹🇷 tahminler

🇰🇷 예측 (yecheuk)

🇸🇦 توقعات

🇨🇿 předpovědi

🇸🇰 predpovede

🇨🇳 预测 (yùcè)

🇸🇮 napovedi

🇮🇸 spár

🇰🇿 болжамдар

🇬🇪 წინასწარმეტყველებები

🇦🇿 proqnozlar

🇲🇽 predicciones

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,221 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.