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 of prophecy

• prediction
• forecasting
• predicting
• forecast

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

And while Pfeufer’s quote is not yet prophecy — the Knicks are up 2-1 over the San Antonio Spurs and still have to win two games for the NBA championship — the fan is enjoying his newfound notoriety — and the fact that his parents are impressed. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026

In the end, the race among Democrats became less a contest than a self-fulfilling prophecy. —Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026

Years of prior research had shown that discrimination and prejudice in the workplace hindered the performance of employees, a self-fulfilling prophecy that caused the targets of the discrimination to perform in line with the underlying assumptions. —Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 2 June 2026

What might have sounded like a bold claim at the turn of the millennium has turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy in today’s era of big data and artificial intelligence. —Sandra Matz, The Conversation, 27 May 2026

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

Rhymes for prophecy

• prophesy

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