soothsayer

American  

[sooth-sey-er] / ˈsuθˌseɪ ər /

noun

1. a person who professes to foretell events.

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soothsayer British  

/ ˈsuːθˌseɪə /

noun

1. a seer or prophet

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Etymology

Origin of soothsayer

First recorded in 1300–50, soothsayer is from the Middle English word sothseyere, sothseyer. See sooth, say ¹, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Investors shouldn’t put too much stock in the latest soothsayers predicting AI doom.

From Barron's

Her husband, who would later write witches and sorcerers and soothsayers into “Macbeth,” “The Tempest” and “Julius Caesar,” is taxed by her psychic gifts.

From Los Angeles Times

It led to “SNL Weekend Update” skits of their father, LaVar, who was a soothsayer telling everyone that his boys would be stars while granting any and all interviews to media and fans alike.

From Los Angeles Times

“You can’t boss around the dead,” as the soothsayer tried to explain afterward, but Lady Constance was convinced the fortune-teller was a fraud, and spoke harshly about the incident for weeks afterward.

From Literature

Old Timothy was a coachman and not a soothsayer, of course.

From Literature