prophet

noun

proph·​et ˈprä-fət 

1

: one who utters divinely inspired revelations: such as

a

often Prophet : the writer of one of the prophetic books of the Bible

b

Prophet : one regarded by a group of followers as the final authoritative revealer of God's will

Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah

2

: one gifted with more than ordinary spiritual and moral insight

especially : an inspired poet

3

: one who foretells future events : predictor

4

: an effective or leading spokesperson for a cause, doctrine, or group

5

Christian Science

a

: a spiritual seer

b

: disappearance of material sense before the conscious facts of spiritual Truth

prophethood

ˈprä-fət-ˌhu̇d 

noun

Synonyms of prophet

• diviner
• forecaster

Examples of prophet in a Sentence

the words of the prophet

an economist who is regarded by many as a reliable prophet of future developments in the global economy

Recent Examples on the Web

But Warren Jeffs remains acknowledged as the current living prophet by his followers, and reports suggest that Jeffs continues to exert significant influence over his community even after his incarceration. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026

The long history of psychedelics and religion is filled with scientists, anthropologists, mystics, shamans, outlaws, and prophets, but these two men are, more than any others, the patron saints of our current psychedelic revival. — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

Trinity depicts three angels, symbolizing the Christian Trinity, visiting the prophet Abraham. — News Desk, Artforum, 16 Sep. 2026

The memoir is not the apologia of a prophet whose prophecy failed. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English prophete, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin prophēta "spokesman or interpreter of a god" (Late Latin also prophētēs "revealer of God's will, foreteller of future events"), borrowed from Greek prophḗtēs "one who interprets the will of a god to humans, interpreter," (Septuagint) "revealer of God's will," (New Testament) "inspired preacher and teacher, foreteller of future events," from pro- pro- entry 1 + phē-, stem of phēmí, phánai "to speak, say" + -tēs, agent suffix — more at ban entry 1

Note: A few attestations in late Old English, apparently declined as a weak noun, are directly from Latin.

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing prophet

• prophet of doom

Rhymes for prophet

• profit
• soffit
• nonprofit

Kids Definition

prophet

noun

proph·​et ˈpräf-ət 

1

: one who declares publicly a message that one believes has come from God or a god

2

: one who foretells future events