foretell

[ fawr-tel, fohr- ]

/ fɔrˈtɛl, foʊr- /

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verb (used with object), fore·told, fore·tell·ing.

to tell of beforehand; predict; prophesy.

Nearby words

forestland, forestry, forestville, foreswear, foretaste, foretell, forethought, forethoughtful, foretime, foretoken, foretooth

Origin of foretell

First recorded in 1250–1300, foretell is from the Middle English word fortell. See fore-, tell¹

SYNONYMS FOR foretell

forecast, augur, presage, forebode.

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Related forms

fore·tell·er, nounun·fore·told, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for foretell

All was not well, and how it would end, even this master politician could not foretell.
Robert Caro’s New Yorker Essay: 7 New Insights Into LBJ|Matthew DeLuca|March 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This year there has been only one fuzzy paparazzi photo of the pair and even it seemed to foretell the end.
Clooney Breakup’s Red Flags|Barbie Latza Nadeau|June 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The growing theme of anti-establishment sites might just foretell the months ahead.
Spain Protests Claim 'European Summer' Follows Arab Spring|Barbie Latza Nadeau, Mike Elkin|May 28, 2011|DAILY BEAST
It is not possible to foretell the future of these experiments in democracy.
The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume VI|Various

Others said the prophet was an Egyptian, and could foretell the future.
I.N.R.I.|Peter Rosegger
Human sagacity cannot explain these facts as they exist to-day, much less could it foretell them three thousand years ago.
Gospel Philosophy|J. H. Ward
If you are a chess-player, you know that the man who can foretell what move his opponent is going to make usually wins.
The Grell Mystery|Frank Froest
I should be apt to think it may foretell a peace, and that is all we have to preserve us.
The Journal to Stella|Jonathan Swift

British Dictionary definitions for foretell

foretell

/ (fɔːˈtɛl) /

verb -tells, -telling or -told

(tr; may take a clause as object) to tell or indicate (an event, a result, etc) beforehand; predict

Derived Forms

foreteller, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012