Cassandra

American  

[kuh-san-druh] / kəˈsæn drə /

noun

1. Also called Alexandra.  Classical Mythology. a daughter of Priam and Hecuba, a prophet cursed by Apollo so that her prophecies, though true, were fated never to be believed.

2. a person who prophesies doom or disaster.

3. a female given name: from a Greek word meaning “helper of men.”

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Cassandra British  

/ kəˈsændrə /

noun

1. Greek myth a daughter of Priam and Hecuba, endowed with the gift of prophecy but fated never to be believed

2. anyone whose prophecies of doom are unheeded

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Cassandra Cultural  

1. In classical mythology, a prophetess in Troy during the Trojan War (see also Trojan War) whose predictions, although true, were never believed by those around her. Apollo had given her the gift of prophecy but made it worthless after she refused his amorous advances. The Greeks captured Cassandra after their victory and sacrilegiously removed her from the temple of Athena. As a result, Athena helped cause shipwrecks and enormous loss of life to the Greeks on their return home.

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A “Cassandra” is someone who constantly predicts bad news.

Example Sentences

Elouise Hill lives in England and said she was "really grateful" that she would get the get the 30 hours on offer there when her baby daughter, Cassandra, reaches nine months.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

Even worse than not wanting to be intimate with me, Cassandra didn’t want to go out to dinner with me either, because of my carb-watching.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

That said, it was heartening to witness the first-ever Oscar for best casting, which went to “One Battle After Another” casting director Cassandra Kulukundis.

From Salon • Mar. 16, 2026

And my current neighbor, Ms. Cassandra, who always makes sure to save me a plate when she grills her mouthwatering barbecue ribs.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

“Yes,” said Harry, looking down his booklist, “I need Unfogging the Future by Cassandra Vablatsky.”

From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling