foresee
faw-SEE
Foresee (verb) means to know or realize something will happen before it does. Example: “Nobody could have foreseen how popular the app would become.”
verb
1
To know or realize something will happen before it does.
"Nobody could have foreseen how popular the app would become."
"Analysts foresee a rise in interest rates next year."
How to use foresee
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo predict or anticipate something before it actually happens.
Common pairings
foresee a problem
could not have foreseen
foresee the future
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- foresees
- Past tense
- foresaw, foreseen
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Analysts _____ a rise in interest rates next year.
Etymology
From Old English foresēon, literally "to see beforehand" — fore- ("before") + see.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for foresee
See all rhymes for foresee →Frequently asked questions
What does “foresee” mean?
The word “foresee” means to know or realize something will happen before it does. In plain terms, to predict or anticipate something before it actually happens.
How do you pronounce “foresee”?
“Foresee” is pronounced faw-SEE (/fɔɹˈsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “foresee” in a sentence?
Here is “foresee” used in a sentence: “Nobody could have foreseen how popular the app would become.”
What is another word for “foresee”?
Words with a similar meaning to “foresee” include anticipate, predict and think.
What part of speech is “foresee”?
“Foresee” is a verb.
Where does the word “foresee” come from?
The word “foresee” comes from Old English. From Old English foresēon, literally "to see beforehand" — fore- ("before") + see.
Is “foresee” a common word?
“Foresee” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
