predetermine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “predetermine” mean?
to decide or establish something in advance, before it happens or before all the facts are known.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to decide or establish something in advance, before it happens or before all the facts are known.
To fix or settle the outcome, course, or nature of something beforehand, often implying a lack of free will or the influence of prior conditions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The word is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British academic/philosophical writing, but the difference is marginal.
Frequency
Low frequency in both dialects, with a slight edge in British English corpus data due to historical philosophical text prevalence.
Grammar
How to Use “predetermine” in a Sentence
predetermine + noun (direct object)be predetermined + by + agent/noun phrasepredetermine + that-clausepredetermine + wh-clauseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “predetermine” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The tribunal's rules predetermine the order of witnesses.
- We cannot let past failures predetermine our future strategy.
American English
- The contract predetermines the arbitration process.
- Genetic factors may predetermine susceptibility to certain illnesses.
adverb
British English
- The meetings are predeterminedly scheduled for the first Monday.
- (Rarely used; 'in a predetermined manner' is preferred.)
American English
- The tasks were completed predeterminedly, without deviation.
- (Rarely used; 'according to a predetermined plan' is preferred.)
adjective
British English
- The predetermined route took us through the scenic valleys.
- She argued against the predetermined nature of the debate.
American English
- The software runs a series of predetermined checks.
- He rejected the idea of a predetermined destiny.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in strategic planning: 'The budget committee will predetermine the quarterly spending limits.'
Academic
Common in philosophy and sociology: 'The study argues that social class can predetermine educational achievement.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used humorously: 'Don't predetermine the movie's plot from the trailer!'
Technical
Used in computing and engineering: 'The algorithm uses predetermined thresholds to filter data.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “predetermine”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “predetermine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “predetermine”
- Using 'predetermine' for simple future plans (e.g., 'I predetermined to go shopping' – incorrect).
- Confusing with 'determine' (which is about finding out or deciding in the present).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Plan' suggests intention and preparation. 'Predetermine' implies a stronger, often unavoidable, fixing of an outcome in advance, sometimes by an external force.
It is quite formal. In everyday speech, phrases like 'decide in advance', 'set beforehand', or 'plan out' are more common and natural.
The main noun forms are 'predetermination' (the act or fact of predetermining) and 'predeterminer' (a linguistic term or something that predetermines).
Not always, but it often carries that connotation, especially in philosophical or religious contexts. In neutral contexts like business or science, it can simply mean 'establish parameters in advance'.
to decide or establish something in advance, before it happens or before all the facts are known.
Predetermine is usually formal, academic in register.
Predetermine: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpriːdɪˈtɜːmɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpriːdɪˈtɜːrmɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A predetermined outcome”
- “The dice were predetermined”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of PRE (before) + DETERMINE (decide). You PRE-DETERMINE something when you decide it BEFORE it happens.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A SCRIPTED PLAY (actors follow a predetermined script).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'predetermine' LEAST appropriate?