What does prophecy mean?
A prophecy is a statement about what will happen, particularly one believed to have been communicated by a god or other supernatural source. The word has strong historical and religious associations, appearing in accounts of sacred texts, oracles, and prophetic figures. In modern usage it can also describe a strikingly accurate forecast based on observation or sound judgment, although this figurative sense may imply that the prediction seemed almost too accurate to be ordinary. “Prophesy” is the corresponding verb, meaning to predict or foretell, but it is more literary than the everyday verb “predict.” The standard plural is “prophecies,” pronounced with a long ee sound in the final syllable. The term is best known through expressions such as “a prophecy fulfilled,” while phrases involving a “false prophecy” denote a prediction that proves incorrect or unfounded.
A statement that predicts a future event, especially one believed to have been divinely inspired.
"The prophecy spoke of peace, but the kingdom remained at war."
Often countable and commonly used with verbs such as “fulfill,” “make,” and “interpret.”
To predict or foretell a future event.
"The seer prophesied that the river would rise before dawn."
Literary and comparatively uncommon; normally written “prophesy,” not “prophecy.”
The standard plural changes the final syllable to a long ee sound, as in “prophecies.”
"Several ancient prophecies describe the coming of a Deliverer."
A prophecy is literally a “speaking forth”: the word descends from Greek roots for declaring what the future holds.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prophecy come from?
The word comes through Old French prophétie from Latin prophētia, a form of Greek prophēteia meaning “prophecy” or “oracle.” Greek prophēteia was derived from prophēteuein, “to speak forth beforehand,” ultimately from prophētēs, “one who speaks for God” or “one who foretells.” The related English words prophet, prophesy, and prophetic preserve the same family of meanings and pronunciation.
Related word forms
How prophecy is actually used
In its traditional sense, prophecy has religious or supernatural associations, but modern usage also includes figurative predictions based on experience or insight. The related verb is comparatively uncommon and literary; “predict” is usually more natural in everyday speech.
Easily confused with prophecy
Prophecy is the noun naming a prediction or oracle, while prophesy is the verb meaning “to predict” or “to foretell.”