prognosticator

[prog-nos-ti-key-ter]

noun

1. a person who forecasts or predicts something future from present indications or signs; prophet.

   Maybe this faltering team can somehow defy the prognosticators and experts and make the playoffs.

2. something that is a sign or indicator of a coming event.

   The woolly bear caterpillars and other prognosticators of winter suggest we will have a more normal one this year.

Word History and Origins

Origin of prognosticator¹

First recorded in 1550–60; prognosticat(e) ( def. ) + -or ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

On the other hand, nothing fazes Madame Ionesco, and she’s as good a baker as she is a prognosticator.”

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Still, the race was closely watched by political prognosticators and operatives, as the purple state is thought to give some insight into voter sentiment nationwide.

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Awards prognosticators, including The Times’ own Glenn Whipp, believe some of the drama categories could be a tight race between “Severance” and “The Pitt,” with the former having the edge.

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There are an extremely low number of prognosticators who can accurately predict the outcome of a WWE match, not knowing the participants or anything about the sport.

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Given the competition and her show’s cancellation, Aduba often ranks last in her category on Emmy prognosticators’ lists.

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Related Words

• prophet 
• seer 
• soothsayer