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

May this article inspire you to take proactive steps to explore options and prepare for the care your parents deserve, with compassion and foresight. —Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

After living under a state government often characterized by inaction, regression or outright hostility to such progressive values, California’s governance is a relative model of responsiveness and foresight. —Deandre Evans, Mercury News, 25 June 2025

Thanks to decades of foresight, Naperville owns its own electric utility and is part of the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA), a nonprofit energy consortium of 32 communities. —Josh McBroom, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025

That type of foresight would be shared with readers decades before all-black wardrobes would become common with urbanites in major cities. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 17 June 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