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

On October 7, 2023, Assad must have imagined for a few hours that Nasrallah’s prophecies had come true. —Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026

The prophecy of the pōhaku was like that. —Jasmin 'iolani Hakes, Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026

Some critics counter that Thiel’s fixation on apocalyptic scenarios reveals less about looming biblical prophecy than about the anxiety of a tech elite resisting limits on capital and code at a moment when public pressure for accountability is rapidly growing. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026

Maybe fretting over fading attention spans is a self-fulfilling prophecy. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Feb. 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