Prophesy Meaning
/ˈpɹɒfɪsaɪ/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo speak or write with divine inspiration; to act as prophet.
verbTo predict, to foretell (with or without divine inspiration).
Sentence Examples
It is difficult to prophesy what the future will hold for us.
He tried to prophesy the outcome of the upcoming election.
The ancient texts prophesy the arrival of a great savior.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
Long ago, the elders used to ____ that the river would flood each spring.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The oracle was said to ____ the future with remarkable accuracy, drawing pilgrims from distant lands.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English prophecien; partly from prophecie, and partly from Middle French prophecier, prophesier, from prophecie (“prophecy”). Doublet of prophecy.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:"
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Joel 2:28:
"[…] at that very moment a loud and high-pitched voice broke the outer silence of the night. It was Chielo, the priestess of Agbala, prophesying. There was nothing new in that. Once in a while Chielo was possessed by the spirit of her god and she began to prophesy."
— 1958 June 17, Chinua Achebe, chapter 11, in Things Fall Apart, New York, N.Y.: Astor-Honor, published 1959, →OCLC, part 1:
"Then I perceive that will be verified
Henry the Fifth did sometime prophesy
‘If once he come to be a cardinal,
He’ll make his cap co-equal with the crown.’"
— 1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:
"My Lord of Hereford here whom you call King, / Is a foule traitour to proud Herefords King, / And if you crowne him let me propheſie, / The bloud of Engliſh ſhall manure the ground, / And future ages groane for this foule act, [...]"
— 1595 December 9 (first known performance), [William Shakespeare], The Tragedie of King Richard the Second. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Valentine Simmes for Androw Wise, […], published 1597, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:
"He doth not prophesy good concerning me."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Kings 22:8:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Long ago, the elders used to ____ that the river would flood each spring.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The oracle was said to ____ the future with remarkable accuracy, drawing pilgrims from distant lands.