prefigure

1 of 2

verb

pre·​fig·​ure ˌprē-ˈfi-gyər 

especially British -ˈfi-gə

prefigured; prefiguring; prefigures

transitive verb

1

: to show, suggest, or announce by an antecedent type, image, or likeness

Her style of painting prefigured modern art.

2

: to picture or imagine beforehand

prefigurement

ˌprē-ˈfi-gyər-mənt 

especially British -ˈfi-gə-

noun

prefigurement

2 of 2

noun

pre·​fig·​ure·​ment -mənt 

plural -s

: an image or likeness conceived or presented beforehand : a representation, embodiment, or typification in advance

a prefigurement of 20th century dictatorships

—Geoffrey Bruun

Synonyms of prefigure

Verb

• foreshadow
• predict
• imply
• herald
• anticipate

Examples of prefigure in a Sentence

Verb

His style of painting prefigured the development of modern art.

the first crocus traditionally prefigures the arrival of spring

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Brexit prefigured further crises of confidence in Western democracies that have led to the steady advance of the far right. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 25 June 2026

Over the course of one phantasmagoric evening, Robin witnesses events that prefigure the Revolutionary War. — John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026

In July 1962, Froio prefigured her lifelong involvement with the Hamptons by writing a piece for WWD about what was selling at the boutiques in West Hampton, commenting on the merchandise at stores called Le Sorelle (The Sisters) and Treasure Trove. — Lorna Koski, Footwear News, 11 June 2026

Projected on an obelisk, this narrowest of histories prefigured the commemorative distortions to follow. — Greg Allen, ARTnews.com, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Late Latin praefigurare, from Latin prae- pre- + figurare to shape, picture, from figura figure

Noun

prefigure + -ment

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prefigure

• configure
• disfigure
• figure
• reconfigure

Kids Definition

prefigure

verb

pre·​fig·​ure (ˈ)prē-ˈfig-yər 

especially British -ˈfig-ər

1

: to show, suggest, or announce by an earlier type, image, or likeness

the first crocus prefigures the arrival of spring

2

: to picture or imagine beforehand

prefigure the outcome of the game

prefiguration

(ˌ)prē-ˌfig-(y)ə-ˈrā-shən

noun

prefigurement

(ˈ)prē-ˈfig-yər-mənt 

especially British -ˈfig-ər-

noun