foresight

noun

fore·​sight ˈfȯr-ˌsīt 

1

: an act or the power of foreseeing : prescience

Through foresight she could tell what the outcome would be.

2

: provident care : prudence

had the foresight to invest his money wisely

3

: an act of looking forward

also : a view forward

foresighted

ˈfȯr-ˌsī-təd 

adjective

foresightedly adverb

foresightedness noun

foresightful

ˈfȯr-ˌsīt-fəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• foreknowledge
• prescience
• divination

Examples of foresight in a Sentence

They had the foresight to invest the money wisely.

His career choice shows a lack of foresight.

Recent Examples on the Web

The series was expressly marked as preparation for Australia’s full tour in 2027 (hooray, finally some selection foresight), but those runs might not go unnoticed in the more immediate future. —Sam Dalling, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025

This strategy must rest on rigor and foresight, not speed. —Kathryn Huff, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025

Staying prepared doesn't require much more than a little foresight and planning. —Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025

What incredible instinct and foresight this person had — A very big moment for JUSTICE IN AMERICA! —Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for foresight

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

Kids Definition

foresight

noun

fore·​sight ˈfō(ə)r-ˌsīt 

ˈfȯ(ə)r-

1

: the act or power of foreseeing

2

: care or preparation for the future

had the foresight to invest his money wisely

foresighted

-ˌsīt-əd 

adjective

foresightedly adverb

foresightedness noun