prophet

noun

proph·​et ˈprä-fət 

1

: one who utters divinely inspired revelations: such as

a

often Prophet : the writer of one of the prophetic books of the Bible

b

Prophet : one regarded by a group of followers as the final authoritative revealer of God's will

Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah

2

: one gifted with more than ordinary spiritual and moral insight

especially : an inspired poet

3

: one who foretells future events : predictor

4

: an effective or leading spokesperson for a cause, doctrine, or group

5

Christian Science

a

: a spiritual seer

b

: disappearance of material sense before the conscious facts of spiritual Truth

prophethood

ˈprä-fət-ˌhu̇d 

noun

Synonyms of prophet

• diviner
• forecaster

Examples of prophet in a Sentence

the words of the prophet

an economist who is regarded by many as a reliable prophet of future developments in the global economy

Recent Examples on the Web

And yet, as a prophet of capitalism, in the regimented ballet of the pin-makers Smith intuited Henry Ford’s assembly line, of how the entire world would become subservient to manufacturing and finance. —Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026

Soaring ratings transform him into an unlikely prophet for a network hungry for spectacle, in a world where outrage sells and attention is the ultimate currency. —Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026

On one side was the prophet’s senior companion and father-in-law, Abu Bakr. —Eric Lob, The Conversation, 2 Mar. 2026

In podcasts, internet-comment sections, the replies to his viral Instagram videos, and stories from his friends and colleagues, Fleming is described as a Muppet, a fairy, a prophet, a cartoon. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English prophete, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin prophēta "spokesman or interpreter of a god" (Late Latin also prophētēs "revealer of God's will, foreteller of future events"), borrowed from Greek prophḗtēs "one who interprets the will of a god to humans, interpreter," (Septuagint) "revealer of God's will," (New Testament) "inspired preacher and teacher, foreteller of future events," from pro- pro- entry 1 + phē-, stem of phēmí, phánai "to speak, say" + -tēs, agent suffix — more at ban entry 1

Note: A few attestations in late Old English, apparently declined as a weak noun, are directly from Latin.

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing prophet

• prophet of doom

Rhymes for prophet

• profit
• soffit
• nonprofit

Kids Definition

prophet

noun

proph·​et ˈpräf-ət 

1

: one who declares publicly a message that one believes has come from God or a god

2

: one who foretells future events