noun
prophecy
PRO-fih-see
noun
1
A statement about the future, especially one claimed to come from divine or supernatural insight.
"The ancient prophecy foretold the fall of the kingdom."
"Many believers saw the event as the fulfillment of prophecy."
How to Use Prophecy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA prediction, especially one with a religious or mystical source.
Common mistake
"Prophecy" (noun, rhymes with "-see") is the prediction itself; "prophesy" (verb, rhymes with "-sigh") is the act of making one.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fulfill a prophecy
ancient prophecy
self-fulfilling prophecy
Word Forms
prophecies plural
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The ancient _____ foretold the fall of the kingdom.
Etymology
From Old French prophetie, from Latin prophetia, from Greek prophēteia, ultimately from pro- ("before") + phēmi ("to speak") — literally "speaking beforehand."