Definition

1. Noun:
   • A prediction uttered under divine inspiration: A statement about the future believed to be revealed by a god or other supernatural force.
   • Knowledge of the future (usually said to be obtained from a divine source): The ability to foresee or the information itself about what will happen, typically attributed to a supernatural origin.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The ancient prophecy foretold the return of the king. (The ancient prediction, believed to be divinely inspired, told of the king's return.)
  • She claimed to have the gift of prophecy. (She claimed to possess the supernatural ability to know the future.)

Advanced Usage

• "Self-fulfilling prophecy": A prediction that directly or indirectly causes itself to become true, by the very terms of the prophecy itself influencing people's behavior.
  • The economic downturn became a self-fulfilling prophecy after constant news reports scared investors.
• "To fulfill a prophecy": For a predicted event to actually happen.
  • The hero's actions finally fulfilled the ancient prophecy.

Variants and Related Words

• Prophesy (verb): To predict or foretell future events, especially under divine inspiration.
  • The seer began to prophesy about the coming war.
• Prophet (noun): A person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of a god.
• Prophetic (adjective): Accurately describing or predicting what will happen in the future.
  • His warnings proved to be prophetic.

Synonyms

• Prediction: A statement about what you think will happen in the future (more general, not necessarily divine).
• Forecast: A prediction, especially about weather or business trends.
• Divination: The practice of seeking knowledge of the future by supernatural means.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "A voice of prophecy": Someone who speaks with the authority or insight of a prophet.
  • In the crisis, the old scholar was seen as a voice of prophecy.
• "The prophecy came to pass": An idiom meaning the predicted event happened.
  • Just as the elders had warned, the prophecy came to pass.

Noun

1. a prediction uttered under divine inspiration
2. knowledge of the future (usually said to be obtained from a divine source)