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, foretold

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 foretold

The winning lottery numbers and foretold riches never arrived.
The Multimillion ‘Clairvoyance by Mail’ Scam|Jacob Siegel|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Monuments Men touched upon all of the action in Europe save for Italy—a conspicuous absence that foretold a future volume.
How WWII Soldiers Saved Italy’s Art From the Nazis|Noah Charney|May 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Six words transmitted wirelessly late in the evening of Nov. 7, 2000, foretold an event that forever changed American politics.
How a Tweet Can Beat a PAC: Social Media Gives Voters Muscle in Politics|Mark McKinnon|April 1, 2012|DAILY BEAST
As the Kalmuck had foretold, we arrived at night in a Kalmuck camp, consisting of a score of tents.
Travels in the Steppes of the Caspian Sea, the Crimea, the Caucasus, &c.|Xavier Hommaire de Hell

After a time, as the old man had foretold, his boat began to sink.
Old-World Japan|Frank Rinder
He quoted proverbs, was full of strange saws, foretold the future—approximately.
The Surprises of Life|Georges Clemenceau
He had the reputation among his fellows of being a prophet and had foretold the day of his own death.
The Age of Erasmus|P. S. Allen
As Mr. Masterson foretold, two riding side and side had made a dash for the wounded Indian, who still lifted up his arm.
The Sunset Trail|Alfred Henry Lewis

British Dictionary definitions for foretold

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