foreseeable

adjective

fore·​see·​able fȯr-ˈsē-ə-bəl 

1

: being such as may be reasonably anticipated

foreseeable problems

foreseeable consequences

2

: lying within the range for which forecasts are possible

in the foreseeable future

foreseeability

fȯr-ˌsē-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

Examples of foreseeable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The company has sustained operating losses since inception and expects such losses to continue into the foreseeable future. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024

The average 30-year mortgage rate has been above 6% for two years — and is likely to stay above that level for the foreseeable future, experts say. —Rob Wile, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2024

Free trade is out of the question in the foreseeable future, even though, according to a 2023 Chicago Council survey, three-quarters of Americans consider international trade good for the economy. —Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024

Berlin will be the only Iranian consulate available to the German public for the foreseeable future. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing foreseeable

• in/for the foreseeable future

Legal Definition

foreseeable

adjective

fore·​see·​able fōr-ˈsē-ə-bəl 

: such as reasonably can or should be anticipated : such that a person of ordinary prudence would expect to occur or exist under the circumstances

a foreseeable risk

the foreseeable expenses

a foreseeable plaintiff

foreseeably adverb