unpredictability

/ənprədɪktəˈbɪlɪɾi/

/ənprədɪktəˈbɪlɪti/

Other forms: unpredictabilities

It’s Uncle Marvin’s unpredictability that makes family functions so interesting — you just never know what he’s going to do! Unpredictability is the trait of doing things in a way that is irregular and cannot be predicted.

Unpredictability contains the word predictability, which describes the quality of doing things in a regular way, time after time. Unpredictability is the opposite of predictability. Because Uncle Marvin is so marked by unpredictability, you never bring your friends to family parties, fearing that Uncle Marvin might do something wacky at any moment. Unpredictability can be exciting, but it can also be scary or unpleasant never knowing what someone is going to do next.

Definitions of unpredictability

1. noun

   lacking predictability
   antonyms:

   predictability

   the quality of being predictable

   type of:

   precariousness, uncertainness, uncertainty

   being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance
2. noun

   the quality of being guided by sudden unpredictable impulses
   synonyms: capriciousness

   type of:

   changefulness, inconstancy

   the quality of being changeable and variable
3. noun

   the trait of being unpredictably irresolute
   synonyms: volatility

   type of:

   irresoluteness, irresolution

   the trait of being irresolute; lacking firmness of purpose