prophecy

noun

proph·​e·​cy ˈprä-fə-sē 

variants or less commonly prophesy

plural prophecies also prophesies

1

: an inspired utterance of a prophet

2

: the function or vocation of a prophet

specifically : the inspired declaration of divine will and purpose

3

: a prediction of something to come

Synonyms

• auguring
• augury
• bodement
• cast
• forecast
• forecasting
• foretelling
• predicting
• prediction
• presaging
• prognosis
• prognostic
• prognosticating
• prognostication
• soothsaying
• vaticination

Examples of prophecy in a Sentence

The prophecies of the author have all come true.

She has the gift of prophecy.

Recent Examples on the Web

My upcoming research expands on this, exploring how the internalization of this exceptionalism can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. —Steven Dashiell, The Conversation, 15 May 2024

But calling for more studies can be merely an excuse to delay, which increases costs, which then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy for critics. —Ron Gonzales, The Mercury News, 15 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English prophecie, prophesie, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin prophētīa, borrowed from Greek prophēteía "gift of interpreting the will of the gods, interpretation of a god's will," (New Testament) "gift of speaking, preaching and expounding scripture under the Holy Spirit's influence," from prophḗtēs prophet + -ia -ia entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

prophecy

noun

proph·​e·​cy ˈpräf-ə-sē 

plural prophecies

1

: the sayings of a prophet

2

: the foretelling of the future

the gift of prophecy

3

: something foretold : prediction