Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

prophesy

[prof-uh-sahy]
verb (used with object), proph·e·sied, proph·e·sy·ing.
  1. to foretell or predict.
  2. to indicate beforehand.
  3. to declare or foretell by or as if by divine inspiration.
  4. to utter in prophecy or as a prophet.
Show More
verb (used without object), proph·e·sied, proph·e·sy·ing.
  1. to make predictions.
  2. to make inspired declarations of what is to come.
  3. to speak as a mediator between God and humankind or in God's stead.
  4. Archaic. to teach religious subjects.
Show More

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

1. augur, prognosticate. See predict. 3. divine.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

foretellpresageportendforeseepredictforewarnadumbrateforecastvaticinatecallaugurprognosticatedivinesoothsay

Examples from the Web for prophesying

Historical Examples

  • 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.

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

Word Origin

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

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.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper