prophetic

[ pruh-fet-ik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a prophet:

   prophetic inspiration.

2. of the nature of or containing prophecy:

   prophetic writings.

3. having the function or powers of a prophet, as a person.
4. predictive; presageful or portentous; ominous:

   prophetic signs; prophetic warnings.

prophetic

/ prəˈfɛtɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to a prophet or prophecy
2. containing or of the nature of a prophecy; predictive

Derived Forms

• proˈphetically, adverb

Other Words From

• pro·pheti·cali·ty pro·pheti·cal·ness noun
• pro·pheti·cal·ly adverb
• hyper·pro·phetic adjective
• hyper·pro·pheti·cal adjective
• hyper·pro·pheti·cal·ly adverb
• nonpro·phetic adjective
• nonpro·pheti·cal adjective
• nonpro·pheti·cal·ly adverb
• postpro·phetic adjective
• postpro·pheti·cal adjective
• prepro·phetic adjective
• pseudo·pro·phetic adjective
• pseudo·pro·pheti·cal adjective
• quasi-pro·phetic adjective
• quasi-pro·pheti·cal adjective
• quasi-pro·pheti·cal·ly adverb
• unpro·phetic adjective
• unpro·pheti·cal adjective
• unpro·pheti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prophetic¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Late Latin prophēticus, from Greek prophētikós; equivalent to prophet + -ic

Example Sentences

“Several prophetic voices told me afterward, however, that every prayer would be answered. Just not when we assumed. God knows what he’s doing.”

From Slate

Mexico's bishops' conference said the murder had silenced a "prophetic voice" who had worked tirelessly for peace and justice.

From BBC

Mexico's bishops' conference described Father Marcelo as one of the "prophetic voices" that had fought for peace, and said justice in Chiapas had been silenced.

From BBC

“The Monophobic Response” is a continuation of an ongoing series titled “Shaper of God” by American Artist, inspired by science fiction author Octavia Butler’s prophetic 1993 novel “Parable of the Sower.”

From Los Angeles Times

The chorus from the title track, "Welcome to a new kind of tension / All across the alien nation," now feels like a prophetic warning about the pervasive unrest fueled by propaganda.

From Salon

Related Words

• apocalyptic
• prescient