prophet
PROF-iht
Prophet (noun) means a person believed to speak on behalf of a god or with divinely inspired insight. Example: “Followers believed the prophet had received a message directly from God.”
noun
1
A person believed to speak on behalf of a god or with divinely inspired insight.
"Followers believed the prophet had received a message directly from God."
"The ancient prophet foretold a great flood and urged people to prepare."
"The prophet warned the people to change their ways."
2
Someone who predicts future events or trends, often with notable accuracy.
"Few people listened to him at first, but he proved a true prophet of the digital age."
"He was called a prophet after correctly forecasting the shift to remote work."
"Some economists were prophets of the housing crash years before it happened."
How to use prophet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who claims to know the future, whether through religious inspiration or sharp foresight.
Common pairings
a prophet of doom
biblical prophet
false prophet
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like prophet.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- prophets
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Followers believed the _____ had received a message directly from God.
Etymology
From Latin propheta, from Greek prophētēs, literally "one who speaks for a god," from pro- ("before") + phēmi ("to speak").
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “prophet” mean?
The word “prophet” means a person believed to speak on behalf of a god or with divinely inspired insight. In plain terms, someone who claims to know the future, whether through religious inspiration or sharp foresight.
How do you pronounce “prophet”?
“Prophet” is pronounced PROF-iht (/ˈpɹɑ.fɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “prophet” in a sentence?
Here is “prophet” used in a sentence: “The prophet warned the people to change their ways.”
What part of speech is “prophet”?
“Prophet” is a noun.
Where does the word “prophet” come from?
The word “prophet” comes from Latin. From Latin propheta, from Greek prophētēs, literally "one who speaks for a god," from pro- ("before") + phēmi ("to speak").
Is “prophet” a common word?
“Prophet” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “prophet” have?
“Prophet” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person believed to speak on behalf of a god or with divinely inspired insight.
What is the difference between prophet and profit?
Prophet and profit are homophones with completely different meanings. A prophet is a person believed to speak on behalf of a god, or someone who predicts future events, while profit is a financial gain. A business earns a profit; a religion reveres a prophet.
What is the difference between a prophet, a prophecy, and prophesy?
A prophet is the person, a prophecy is the prediction they deliver, and prophesy (spelled with an s and rhyming with "sky") is the verb meaning to make such a prediction. So a prophet prophesies, and what they announce is a prophecy.
What is the female form of prophet?
The traditional female form is prophetess, and it still appears in religious and historical writing. In modern general usage, prophet is treated as gender-neutral and is applied to anyone believed to speak with divinely inspired insight.
Can you call someone a prophet outside of religion?
Yes. Beyond its religious sense, prophet describes anyone who predicts future events or trends with notable accuracy, as in "a prophet of the digital age." The phrase "prophet of doom" is a common, often ironic label for someone who constantly predicts disaster.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include prophet:
