Foreseeable: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：predictable in advance (foreseeable)

foreseeable 🔊

/fɔːrˈsiːəbl/

adj.

Something that can be known or guessed about before it happens.

Foreseeable concept illustrated by a person checking a weather forecast app matching the sunny reality outside.

predictable in advance 🔊

➕

/prɪˈdɪktəbl ɪn ədˈvæns/

adj.

Describing something that can be known or anticipated before it occurs.

📁 Category：Time & Dates 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from 'fore-' (before), 'see' (perceive), and '-able' (capable of).

💡 Mnemonic

Fore-see-able: if you can 'see' it 'before', it's foreseeable.

📖 Example

Our company has a solid plan for growth for the foreseeable future. 🔊 Our company has a robust growth strategy for the near future that we can predict.

🔗 Collocations

for the foreseeable future – for a period that can be predicted ahead of time

foreseeable risk – a risk that can be anticipated

in the foreseeable term – within a predictable timeframe

🔄 Synonyms

predictable (adj.) – able to be foretold or expected

anticipatable (adj.) – capable of being anticipated

foreseen (adj.) – known or expected in advance

🚫 Antonyms

unpredictable (adj.) – not able to be predicted

unforeseeable (adj.) – not capable of being foreseen

🌱 Derivatives

foresee (v.) – to see or know beforehand

foreseeability (n.) – the quality of being foreseeable

📖 Cultural Story

Etymologically, from Old English 'foresēon' (to see beforehand). Modern usage is common in business and planning contexts, such as the phrase 'for the foreseeable future' to denote a predictable period.