Etymologically
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foreseeable

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 14 October 2026 at 23:11. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /fɔːˈsiː.ə.bəl/, /fəˈsiː.ə.bəl/ (UK); /fɔɹˈsi.ə.bəl/, /fɚˈsi.ə.bəl/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from English foresee + -able.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

That may be foreseen (1804).[4][2][5]

Semantic evolution

The Shorter Oxford notes that the negative unforeseeable is recorded earlier, in the late 17th century.[3] The word is especially frequent in the phrase foreseeable future, the period over which the course of events can reasonably be predicted.[4][3] The derived noun foreseeability (early 20th century) is often used in legal contexts.[4][3]

Timeline

  • late 17th century – unforeseeable.[3]
  • 1804 – foreseeable.[4][2][5][6]
  • early 20th century – foreseeability.[3]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Such as can reasonably be anticipated or foreseen.
  2. Lying within the range for which forecasts are possible, as in the foreseeable future.

Word family

  • foreseeability
  • unforeseeable
  • foresee
  • foresight
  • unforeseen
  • see

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c d e f Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  4. ^ a b c d Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  6. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster