unpredictability

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˌʌnprəˌdɪktəˈbɪlɪtiː/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    The quality or state of being unpredictable; the inability to be foreseen or known in advance.; An instance or example of something that cannot be predicted.

🔗 Details

Word forms

uncountable

Collocations

element of unpredictabilitydegree of unpredictabilityadd unpredictabilityincrease unpredictabilityair of unpredictability

Derivatives

unpredictableunpredictablypredictpredictionpredictablepredictablypredictability

Synonyms

uncertaintyrandomnessvolatilitycapriciousnesserraticisminstability

Antonyms

predictabilitycertaintyregularity

Commonly confused

uncertainty
EN: 'Uncertainty' is a broader term for lack of sureness about outcomes; 'unpredictability' specifically emphasizes the inability to forecast or anticipate what will happen.
volatility
EN: 'Volatility' emphasizes rapid and dramatic changes (often in markets or emotions); 'unpredictability' focuses on the impossibility of forecasting regardless of the degree of change.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember the structure: un- + predict + -ability. The 'i' before 'ct' in 'predict' is commonly dropped by mistake, and the suffix is '-ability' (not '-ibility').

💬 Examples

  1. The unpredictability of the stock market makes long-term planning difficult for investors.

  2. The unpredictabilities of weather patterns have increased due to climate change.