prophecy
prophecy — noun
1. a spoken or written claim about coming events, especially one rooted in religiou
a spoken or written claim about coming events, especially one rooted in religious faith rather than in evidence or known facts
The ancient prophecy told of a great flood that would destroy the coastal city.
countable noun with 'of' complement
Eli believed the prophecy about the king's return was a sign of hope.
Anong read the prophecy carved on the temple stone — centuries later, it was about to come true.
Several scientists laughed at the prophecy, but it came true years later.
collocation: prophecy + come true
The prophecy warned that a drought would last for seven long years across the region.
prophecy + that-clause for content of the prediction
- make a prophecy
- fulfill a prophecy
- ancient prophecy
- prophecy about
- prophecy comes true
- prediction
more general; can be based on data or reasoning, whereas prophecy suggests a spiritual source
- forecast
usually about weather or economics; implies systematic analysis rather than divine insight
- divination
specifically refers to predicting through supernatural or ritual methods; more formal and rare
Grammar Patterns
prophecy + about + noun
prophecy + that-clause
Usage Note
Countable noun. Often implies the prediction comes from a religious or spiritual source rather than logical reasoning.
Common Mistakes
2. the natural ability or spiritual power to see events before they take place
the natural ability or spiritual power to see events before they take place
Villagers believed the shaman received the gift of prophecy from the forest spirits.
uncountable: 'gift of prophecy'
Lukas discovered his strange power of prophecy after dreaming about an earthquake before it struck.
Shirin's gift of prophecy warned her about a dangerous storm before the first cloud appeared.
The temple was a place where honest seekers could receive the gift of prophecy.
collocation: gift of prophecy
Brother James discovered his gift of prophecy when he described the flood before the first raindrop fell.
- gift of prophecy
- power of prophecy
- spirit of prophecy
- foresight
focuses on practical ability to plan ahead, lacks the spiritual or supernatural connotation of prophecy
- clairvoyance
specifically means perceiving future events through supernatural means; narrower and more formal
- second sight
informal idiom for the ability to see future events; more common in folk contexts
Grammar Patterns
gift of prophecy
power of prophecy
Usage Note
Uncountable noun — cannot be used with 'a' or made plural. Frequently appears in the fixed phrase 'gift of prophecy.' This sense is distinct from Sense 1 (PROPHETIC STATEMENT), which is a countable statement; Sense 2 refers to the general ability or power itself. When the noun is paired with verbs such as 'study' or 'learn,' the sentence may be ambiguous between this sense (the ability) and Sense 1 (the body of recorded statements); using the 'gift of prophecy' collocation clarifies the intended meaning.