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.

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crystal ball British  

noun

1. the glass globe used in crystal gazing

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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]

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Etymology

Origin of crystal ball

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Even without a crystal ball, investors may view all those swirling questions as reason enough to take some profits after a year of big gains.

From The Wall Street Journal

But for at least some of our 2026 predictions, the crystal ball is crystal clear.

From The Wall Street Journal

Just don’t mistake it for a crystal ball,” he added.

From MarketWatch

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