predictor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “predictor” mean?
A thing or person used to forecast or estimate a future event or outcome.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A thing or person used to forecast or estimate a future event or outcome.
Specifically, it can refer to a statistical variable used in models to estimate outcomes, a person who makes predictions, or a feature indicative of a future result.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Minor potential orthographic variation in related words (e.g., 'predictor' vs. 'predictor' is identical).
Connotations
None specifically tied to region.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both UK and US academic/technical registers.
Grammar
How to Use “predictor” in a Sentence
[predictor] of [outcome][be/become] a [adjective] predictorVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In business analytics, past sales data is a key predictor for future inventory needs.
Academic
The study identified parental education level as a significant predictor of academic achievement.
Everyday
They say a firm handshake isn't a reliable predictor of someone's character.
Technical
In the regression model, we entered age and income as predictor variables.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “predictor”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “predictor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “predictor”
- Confusing 'predictor' (the thing that does the predicting) with 'prediction' (the statement about the future). Using 'predictor' informally for a person guessing about sports/weather instead of 'forecaster'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. Historically, it referred to a person who predicts. Today, it is far more common as a technical term for a variable, factor, or tool that forecasts outcomes.
An 'indicator' shows the current state or presence of something. A 'predictor' is specifically forward-looking, used to forecast a *future* state or event.
It is a feature or attribute in the dataset used by the model to make a prediction. It is synonymous with an 'independent variable' or 'input feature'.
Yes, but it sounds somewhat formal. In casual talk, people might say 'sign' or 'clue' (e.g., 'a good sign' instead of 'a reliable predictor').
A thing or person used to forecast or estimate a future event or outcome.
Predictor is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Predictor: in British English it is pronounced /prɪˈdɪktə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /prɪˈdɪktər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly with 'predictor']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A PREDICT-or is what you use TO PREDICT. It's the agent or tool *for* the action of predicting.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CRYSTAL BALL (something that reveals the future); A COMPASS (something that points towards a future outcome).
Practice
Quiz
In a scientific study, a 'predictor variable' is best described as: