What does foretell mean?
'Foretell' is a transitive verb meaning to predict or declare a future event before it occurs, most often through prophecy, divination, or other seemingly extraordinary insight. When someone foretells something, they do not merely privately expect it — they announce it in advance, which gives the word its dramatic, oracular flavor. The verb appears frequently in literature, folklore, and religious writing: oracles foretell the fates of heroes, seers foretell disasters, and astrologers claim to foretell destinies from the stars. Although it can occasionally describe informed prediction based on evidence, 'foretell' generally carries a stronger suggestion of mystery or destiny than the plainer verbs 'predict' and 'forecast', which dominate scientific and journalistic usage. Its form is irregular: the past tense and past participle are both 'foretold'. For readers, writers, and students of literature, 'foretell' is a valuable word precisely because of this evocative, prophetic connotation — it signals that a prediction belongs to the world of omens and portents as much as to ordinary foresight.
verbTo predict or reveal something in advance, especially future events, often by supernatural insight, prophecy, or special knowledge.
- To predict or announce a future event before it happens, especially by prophetic, divine, or otherwise extraordinary means.
- More broadly, to indicate what will happen on the basis of signs, evidence, or expert judgment.
"The oracle was said to foretell the rise and fall of kings."
"The old woman claimed she could foretell the fortunes of anyone who crossed her palm with silver."
"Economists struggled to foretell how quickly the market would recover."
Shakespeare's witches don't just predict Macbeth's future — they foretell it, and English speakers have trusted this word with prophecy ever since.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of foretell
'Foretell' is formed from two native Germanic elements: the prefix 'fore-', meaning 'beforehand', and the verb 'tell', whose older sense included 'to count, recount, or declare'. Both parts trace back to Old English, and compounds combining 'fore-' with verbs were a common way of forming words about anticipation and prior action. Because it is a Germanic compound rather than a Latin or Greek borrowing, it has no classical cognate root; instead, it shares its underlying stock with related words such as 'tale' and 'talk', all descended from the same Germanic root meaning to count or narrate. The compound itself emerged in medieval English and became firmly established in literary usage by the early modern period.
Related word forms
How foretell is actually used
'Foretell' carries a slightly formal, literary register and often connotes prophecy, fortune-telling, or mysticism more strongly than everyday prediction. In modern scientific or journalistic contexts, 'predict' or 'forecast' usually sounds more natural; 'foretell' suits narrative, historical, or supernatural framing. It is an irregular transitive verb: past tense and past participle 'foretold'.
Easily confused with foretell
'Foresee' means to anticipate or be aware of something in advance through ordinary judgment, while 'foretell' means to declare it openly beforehand, often with prophetic overtones.
'Forecast' is used chiefly for estimates based on data and analysis (especially weather or economics), whereas 'foretell' suggests prophecy or mysterious insight.