prophecy
PROF-uh-see
/ˈprɒfəsi/
A prediction of what will happen in the future, often inspired by divine or supernatural forces.
Carries a weight of authority or mystery; often used in literature and mythology.
The story behind the word. From the Greek 'propheteia', meaning the 'gift of interpreting the will of the gods.' It combines 'pro' (before) and 'phanai' (to speak).
Word relationships
- prediction: Prophecy implies a supernatural or deeply intuitive source; prediction is more general.
- history: History is the record of the past; prophecy is the record of the future.
Commonly confused with
- prophesy: Prophecy is the noun (the prediction); prophesy is the verb (the act of predicting).
Word family
- prophesy (verb): to predict the future
- prophetic (adjective): accurately describing or predicting what will happen
Collocations
- fulfill a prophecy
- ancient prophecy
- self-fulfilling prophecy
Example sentences
- "Prophecy is a good line of business, but it is full of risks." Literature
- "The ancient prophecy warned that the king would be overthrown by his own son." Mythology
Memory hook
A 'prophecy' is a 'professional' 'saying' about the future. Spoken before it happens.
When not to use
Don't use for scientific forecasts; 'prediction' or 'prognosis' is more accurate for data-driven work.
Fun facts
- A 'self-fulfilling prophecy' is a prediction that causes itself to become true.
Explore more words
oracle, foreshadow, predict, forecast, predestined, Predictive
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