seer

¹ American  

[see-er, seer] / ˈsi ər, sɪər /

noun

1. a person who sees; see; observer.

2. a person who prophesies future events; prophet.

   Industry seers predicted higher profits.

   Synonyms:

   augur , soothsayer , oracle

3. a person endowed with profound moral and spiritual insight or knowledge; a wise person or sage who possesses intuitive powers.

4. a person who is reputed to have special powers of divination, as a crystal gazer or palmist.

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seer ² American  

[seer, sair] / sɪər, sɛər /

noun

1. ser.

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seer ¹ British  

/ sɪə /

noun

1. a person who can supposedly see into the future; prophet

2. a person who professes supernatural powers

3. a person who sees

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seer ² British  

/ sɪə /

noun

1. a variant spelling of ser

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Other Word Forms

• seeress noun

Etymology

Origin of seer¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see ¹, -er ¹

Origin of seer²

First recorded in 1610–20

Example Sentences

As the world has caught up with her work, Atwood has become a popular seer figure; despite the sci-fi trappings of some of her books, she seems to discern the world as it really is.

From Washington Post

The riverbank was recently busy with seers and worshipers.

From New York Times

Punxsutawney Phil may be the most famous groundhog seer but he’s certainly not the only one, and one competitor disagreed with his prediction.

From Washington Post

In October, Mr Narsinghanand was appointed head of the largest sect of Hindu seers.

From BBC

The Republican-fascist movement that is laying siege to American democracy and society is not composed of geniuses or uniquely gifted seers.

From Salon

Related Words

• forecaster
• prophet
• soothsayer