predict

/pɹɪˈdɪkt/

//pɹɪˈdɪkt// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"predict" is a 7-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“predict” is a regularly-used English word, ranked #6,283 in English word frequency and used as a verb.

#6,283
frequency rank, English
7
letters
11
tracked misspellings
6
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To make a prediction: to forecast, foretell, or estimate a future event on the basis of knowledge and reasoning; to prophesy a future event on the basis of mystical knowledge or power.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

predict vs product
71% similar
predict vs prefect
71% similar
predict vs predicted
78% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for predict
PropertyValue
Headwordpredict
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/pɹɪˈdɪkt/
Letters7
Frequency rank#6,283
Misspellings tracked11
Confusable pairs6
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “predict” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). predict lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for predict is 7 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /pɹɪˈdɪkt/. Corpus data places it at rank #6,283 in overall English word frequency, indicating it appears regularly in written and spoken text. Wiktionary records 4 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 11 likely wrong-spelling variants for predict, with forms such as "perdict", "ppredict", and "prdeict". Every one of these variants traces to a single-character edit -- an added or dropped letter, a swapped consonant, or a vowel swap -- the kind of slip a spell-checker is built to catch. It also participates in 6 confusable-pair relationships, "product", "prefect", "predicted", and more, since the words sound or look close enough that writers reach for the wrong one mid-sentence.

Etymologically, the entry records: Early 17th century, from Latin praedīcō (“to mention beforehand”) (perfect passive participle praedictus), from prae- (“before”) + dīcō (“to say”). Equivalent to Germanic forespeak, foretell, and foresay. The correct English form is predict, spelled P-R-E-D-I-C-T.

Definition

  1. 1
    To make a prediction: to forecast, foretell, or estimate a future event on the basis of knowledge and reasoning; to prophesy a future event on the basis of mystical knowledge or power.
  2. 2
    To imply.
  3. 3
    To make predictions.
  4. 4
    To direct a ranged weapon against a target by means of a predictor.

Etymology

Early 17th century, from Latin praedīcō (“to mention beforehand”) (perfect passive participle praedictus), from prae- (“before”) + dīcō (“to say”). Equivalent to Germanic forespeak, foretell, and foresay.

Synonyms

foretellforespellforespeakhalsenanticipateaugurcalldivineforecastforedeemforeholdforeseeforeshadowpredictpresageprognosticateprophesy

Antonyms

retrodict

This word in other languages

predecir(Español)prédire(Français)vorhersagen(Deutsch)predizer(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: perdict,ppredict,prdeict,predcit,preddict,predicct,predictt,preditc,preidct,prredict,rpedict

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of predict - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

perdict2ppredict1prdeict2predcit2preddict1predicct1predictt1preditc2
Edit distance from "predict"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "predict"?
"predict" is spelled P-R-E-D-I-C-T. The IPA pronunciation is /pɹɪˈdɪkt/.
What does "predict" mean?
As a verb, "predict" means: To make a prediction: to forecast, foretell, or estimate a future event on the basis of knowledge and reasoning; to prophesy a future event on the basis of mystical knowledge or power.
What words are commonly confused with "predict"?
"predict" is commonly confused with "product", "prefect", "predicted". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "predict"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "predict" is /pɹɪˈdɪkt/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "predict"?
Early 17th century, from Latin praedīcō (“to mention beforehand”) (perfect passive participle praedictus), from prae- (“before”) + dīcō (“to say”). Equivalent to Germanic forespeak, foretell, and foresay. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “predict”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is P-R-E-D-I-C-T - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /pɹɪˈdɪkt/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “product” - see the side-by-side comparison. predict vs product
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list