prophesy

[prof-uh-sahy]

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

to foretell or predict.

to indicate beforehand.

to declare or foretell by or as if by divine inspiration.

to utter in prophecy or as a prophet.

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

to make predictions.

to make inspired declarations of what is to come.

to speak as a mediator between God and humankind or in God's stead.

Archaic. to teach religious subjects.

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

Synonyms for prophesy

1. augur, prognosticate. See predict. 3. divine.

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

Related Words for prophesying

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

Examples from the Web for prophesying

Historical Examples of prophesying

Prophesying has always been a risky business, and will not be attempted here.
American Men of Mind
Burton E. Stevenson
I could easily fall to prophesying, myself, when all is over.
In Convent Walls
Emily Sarah Holt
Uncle Jabez had been prophesying disaster ever since she had known him.
Ruth Fielding At College
Alice B. Emerson
She stared at me as blankly as if she had not been prophesying my doom a little while ago.
The Chauffeur and the Chaperon
C. N. Williamson
It was the eerie singsong voice he used when he was prophesying for the tribe.
Shaman
Robert Shea

British Dictionary definitions for prophesying

prophesy

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 prophesying

prophesy

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.