foretell

[fawr-tel, fohr-]

verb (used with object)

foretold, foretelling 

1. to tell of beforehand; predict; prophesy.

   Synonyms: forebode, presage, augur, forecast

foretell

/ fɔːˈtɛl /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• foreteller noun
• unforetold adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of foretell¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, foretell is from the Middle English word fortell. See fore-, tell ¹

Example Sentences

It was just as the mother wolf had foretold.

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What follows is a chronicle of a death foretold.

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“Apples float, and as the girls’ potential sweethearts ducked to catch the fruit with their teeth, future couplings were determined — or foretold.”

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To a remarkable degree, they foretold many of the failures that would beset L.A.

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All of this is foretold and symbolized in “Sundae.”

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Related Words

• anticipate 
• augur 
• foreshadow 
• portend 
• prefigure 
• presage 
• prophesy 
• signify