What does predicated mean?
“Predicated” means that something is founded, based, or dependent on a particular idea, condition, or assumption. Its most common use is in the phrase “predicated on,” as in “The theory is predicated on a single assumption.” The wording signals that the claim is not independent or unconditional: its validity depends on the stated premise. In the form “She predicated her success on hard work,” the word means that she based or placed an expectation on something. Although “predicated” is formally the past tense and past participle of “predicate,” it also functions independently as an adjective. It is especially common in academic, legal, political, and technical contexts, where it conveys careful explanation of the foundation supporting an argument or proposal.
To found or base an argument, decision, plan, or expectation on a particular condition, assumption, or premise.
"The strategy is predicated on continued growth in demand."
Commonly used with “on” or “upon.” The past tense and past participle are “predicated.”
Based upon or dependent on a specified premise, condition, or assumption.
"The proposal is predicated on assumptions that may prove unrealistic."
This use is formal and is especially frequent in academic, legal, and technical prose.
When an argument is “predicated” on an assumption, its whole foundation rests on that assumption.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of predicated
The word comes from Latin praedicare, meaning “to proclaim” or “declare publicly.” In medieval Latin, praedicatum came to mean “something declared,” and English developed “predicate” in the sense of a statement made about something, as well as the grammatical term for a verb that says something of its subject. The verb meaning “to base” and the adjective meaning “founded on” developed from the idea of making a statement depend on a preceding condition or premise.
Related word forms
How predicated is actually used
The phrase “predicated on” is formal and common in academic, legal, and technical writing. It is usually followed by a condition or assumption, while “predicated upon” is a more traditional variant. In the form “She predicated her success on...,” the verb can also mean to assert or base a hope or expectation on something.
Easily confused with predicated
“Predicated” is the inflected form of the verb “predicate” and an adjective meaning based on something; “predicated” is not a separate word with a different meaning.