pre|dict ◆◇◇ /pr I d I kt/ (predicts , predicting , predicted ) VERB If you predict an event, you say that it will happen. □ [V n] The latest opinion polls are predicting a very close contest. □ [V that] He predicted that my hair would grow back 'in no time'. □ [V wh] It's hard to predict how a jury will react. □ [V with quote] 'The war will continue another two or three years,' he predicted.
pre|dict|able /pr I d I ktəb ə l/ ADJ If you say that an event is predictable , you mean that it is obvious in advance that it will happen. □ This was a predictable reaction, given the bitter hostility between the two countries. ● pre|dict|ably ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/adv] □ His article is, predictably, a scathing attack on capitalism. ● pre|dict|abil|ity /pr I d I ktəb I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Your mother values the predictability of your Sunday calls.
pre|dic|tion /pr I d I kʃ ə n/ (predictions ) N‑VAR If you make a prediction about something, you say what you think will happen. □ He was unwilling to make a prediction about which books would sell in the coming year. □ Weather prediction has never been a perfect science.
pre|dic|tive /pr I d I kt I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use predictive to describe something such as a test, science, or theory that is concerned with determining what will happen in the future. [FORMAL ] □ …the predictive branch of economics.
pre|dic|tor /pr I d I ktə r / (predictors ) N‑COUNT You can refer to something that helps you predict something that will happen in the future as a predictor of that thing. □ [+ of ] Opinion polls are an unreliable predictor of election outcomes.
pre|di|lec|tion /priː d I le kʃ ə n, [AM ] pre d-/ (predilections ) N‑COUNT If you have a predilection for something, you have a strong liking for it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ for ] …his predilection for fast cars and fast horses.
pre|dis|pose /priː d I spoʊ z/ (predisposes , predisposing , predisposed )
1 VERB If something predisposes you to think or behave in a particular way, it makes it likely that you will think or behave in that way. [FORMAL ] □ [V n to-inf] They take pains to hire people whose personalities predispose them to serve customers well. □ [V n + to ] Certain factors predispose some individuals to criminal behaviour. ● pre|dis|posed ADJ [v-link ADJ , usu ADJ to-inf] □ …people who are predisposed to violent crime.
2 VERB If something predisposes you to a disease or illness, it makes it likely that you will suffer from that disease or illness. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + to ] …a gene that predisposes people to depression. ● pre|dis|posed ADJ [v-link ADJ ] □ [+ to ] Some people are genetically predisposed to diabetes.
pre|dis|po|si|tion /priː d I spəz I ʃ ə n/ (predispositions )
1 N‑COUNT [oft N to-inf] If you have a predisposition to behave in a particular way, you tend to behave like that because of the kind of person that you are or the attitudes that you have. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] There are always going to be other factors that influence someone's predisposition to exercise.
2 N‑COUNT If you have a predisposition to a disease or illness, it is likely that you will suffer from that disease or illness. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to/towards ] …a genetic predisposition to lung cancer.
pre|domi|nance /pr I dɒ m I nəns/
1 N‑SING If there is a predominance of one type of person or thing, there are many more of that type than of any other type. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Another interesting note was the predominance of London club players.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If someone or something has predominance , they have the most power or importance among a group of people or things. [FORMAL ] □ Eventually even their economic predominance was to suffer.
pre|domi|nant /pr I dɒ m I nənt/ ADJ If something is predominant , it is more important or noticeable than anything else in a set of people or things. □ Amanda's predominant emotion was that of confusion.
pre|domi|nant|ly /pr I dɒ m I nəntli/ ADV [usu ADV group, oft ADV after v] You use predominantly to indicate which feature or quality is most noticeable in a situation. □ …a predominantly female profession.
pre|domi|nate /pr I dɒ m I ne I t/ (predominates , predominating , predominated )
1 VERB If one type of person or thing predominates in a group, there is more of that type of person or thing in the group than of any other. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] In older age groups women predominate because men tend to die younger.
2 VERB When a feature or quality predominates , it is the most important or noticeable one in a situation. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] Much sociological research on religion was based on societies in which a single religion overwhelmingly predominated.
pre|domi|nate|ly /pr I dɒ m I nətli/ ADV [usu ADV group, oft ADV after v] Predominately means the same as predominantly . □ …a predominately white, middle-class suburb.
pre-e minent in AM, usually use preeminent ADJ If someone or something is pre-eminent in a group, they are more important, powerful, or capable than other people or things in the group. [FORMAL ] □ …his fifty years as the pre-eminent political figure in the country. ● pre-eminence N‑UNCOUNT □ …London's continuing pre-eminence among European financial centres.
pre-e minently in AM, usually use preeminently ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/adv, ADV n] Pre-eminently means to a very great extent. □ The party was pre-eminently the party of the landed interest.