prophecy

[ prof-uh-see ]

noun

, plural proph·e·cies.

1. the foretelling or prediction of what is to come.
2. something that is declared by a prophet, especially a divinely inspired prediction, instruction, or exhortation.
3. a divinely inspired utterance or revelation:

   oracular prophecies.

4. the action, function, or faculty of a prophet.

prophecy

/ ˈprɒfɪsɪ /

noun

1. 1. a message of divine truth revealing God's will
   2. the act of uttering such a message
2. a prediction or guess
3. the function, activity, or charismatic endowment of a prophet or prophets

Confusables Note

The French-derived noun prophecy and the related verb prophesy have a unique history. Before English spelling became relatively stabilized, they were both spelled many different ways—some with a c, some with an s, and even, at least in the case of the noun, some with a t (as in the corresponding modern French form prophétie ). But in the 18th century, the great diversity of spellings for these words settled down, with the c form becoming standard for the noun and the s form for the verb. At some point the pronunciation of the verb was also distinguished from that of the noun, so that instead of rhyming with see, like the noun, the verb rhymed with sigh —perhaps by analogy with the many verbs ending in -fy ( testify, stupefy, etc.). Considering the close relationship between the words, it is not surprising that they are easily confused; in particular, it is not unusual to see the noun written with an s, just as was often done before the 18th century. We may even prophesy that, over time, the form will once again become a completely acceptable spelling for the noun. But until then, careful writers and speakers maintain the conventional and long-established distinction between the two words in both spelling and pronunciation. Similarly, the verb "prophesize" (or "prophecize")—resulting from confusion between prophesy and verbs ending in -ize like proselytize and prioritize —is regarded as nonstandard. When you make a prophecy (sounds like see ), you are prophesying (sounds like sighing ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of prophecy¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English prophecie, from Old French, from Late Latin prophētīa, from Greek prophēteía; prophet, -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of prophecy¹

C13: ultimately from Greek prophētēs prophet

Example Sentences

Many of Q’s prophecies had been kicked down the road to the inauguration.

From FiveThirtyEight

QAnon’s followers have faced failed prophecies before, but last week appeared to be the movement’s most severe breaking point.

From FiveThirtyEight

At some point, it merely becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy to examine these questions.

From Washington Post

He’s not playing to fulfill a prophecy whispered to him since he was a teenager.

From Washington Post

We cannot afford for the next generation of climate justice leaders’ dread to become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

From Fortune

“Instead of me fulfilling my prophecy,” he said, “I have to start one,” and that was a lot of pressure.

From The Daily Beast

His prophecy kicked off a vertiginous frenzy of doomsaying, and he was thrown in jail by fearful Bolognese officials.

From The Daily Beast

It was a self-fulfilling prophecy, a feedback loop of rational and irrational fears.

From The Daily Beast

NB: Prophecy is the key source of mystery and danger in our books.

From The Daily Beast

The Prime Minister shut it down with a biblical prophecy, first spoken in English then in Hebrew.

From The Daily Beast

That the whole people will, in gospel times, be united in such a relation the voice of prophecy would seem to indicate.

From Project Gutenberg

A prophecy of the desolation of Moab for their pride: but their captivity shall at last be released.

From Project Gutenberg

From the use of a term employed in prophecy in reference to the waters of the sea, this, moreover, appears.

From Project Gutenberg

The whole adult population of the United States are witnesses of the fulfillment of this prophecy.

From Project Gutenberg

Prophecy declares, indeed, the purposes of God, but specially the carrying of them into effect in individual cases.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• apocalypse
• prognostication
• revelation