Dictionary.com
definitions

prophesy

[ prof-uh-sahy ]
/ ˈprɒf əˌsaɪ /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR prophesy ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), proph·e·sied, proph·e·sy·ing.

verb (used without object), proph·e·sied, proph·e·sy·ing.

RELATED WORDS

foretell, presage, portend, foresee, predict, forewarn, adumbrate, forecast, vaticinate, call, augur, prognosticate, divine, soothsay

Nearby words

  1. property tax,
  2. propfan,
  3. prophage,
  4. prophase,
  5. prophecy,
  6. prophet,
  7. prophetess,
  8. prophetic,
  9. prophets,
  10. prophylactic

Origin of prophesy

1350–1400; Middle English; v. use of variant of prophecy (fully distinguished in form and meaning in the 18th century)
Related formsproph·e·si·a·ble, adjectiveproph·e·si·er, nounun·proph·e·sied, adjective
Can be confusedprophecy prophesy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for prophesy

prophesy

/ (ˈprɒfɪˌsaɪ) /

verb -sies, -sying or -sied

to reveal or foretell (something, esp a future event) by or as if by divine inspiration
(intr) archaic to give instruction in religious subjects
Derived Formsprophesiable, adjectiveprophesier, noun

Word Origin for prophesy

C14 prophecien, from prophecy
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
Word Origin and History for prophesy

prophesy

v.

mid-14c., prophecein, prophesein, from Old French prophecier (13c.), from prophecie (see prophecy). The noun and verb spellings were not fully differentiated until 18c. Related: Prophesied; prophesying.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper