To predict means to say what you think will happen before it actually occurs. When meteorologists predict rain tomorrow, they're using weather patterns and data to forecast what's coming. When you predict your friend will love a book you're recommending, you're making an educated guess based on what you know about their taste.

Good predictions come from observing patterns, gathering evidence, and thinking carefully. Scientists predict eclipses years in advance by understanding how the moon and sun move. A chess player predicts an opponent's next move by studying the board. Your teacher might predict you'll do well on a test after watching you master the material in class.

A prediction is the noun form: “My prediction is that it will snow on Tuesday.” Someone who makes predictions professionally, like a weather forecaster or political analyst, is called a predictor.

Notice that predictions can be wrong without being dishonest. Unlike a promise, which you're expected to keep, a prediction is simply your best judgment about the future based on what you know right now. The more information and experience you have, the better your predictions tend to become.