crystal ball

American  

noun

1. a ball of clear crystal, glass, or the like, used in crystal gazing.

2. a method or means of predicting the future.

---

crystal ball British  

noun

1. the glass globe used in crystal gazing

---

crystal ball Idioms  

1. A means of predicting the future, as in So what does your crystal ball say about the coming election? The term is a figurative use of the crystal or glass ball used by fortune-tellers. [c. 1900]

---

Etymology

Origin of crystal ball

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

First, the league’s scheduling crew had a pretty clear crystal ball in May, a good idea for which teams would still be in the mix.

From Los Angeles Times

But there isn’t yet such a thing as a crystal ball.

From Barron's

“Maybe a crystal ball could tell us,” Cassiopeia said.

From Literature

“And how did you know to find me at Swanburne? Surely there was a crystal ball involved.”

From Literature

He folded his hands and pleaded in a little girl’s voice: “‘Old Timothy, please, look in your crystal ball and tell me: How will it all turn out?’

From Literature