prophetic

American  

[pruh-fet-ik] / prəˈfɛt ɪk /

Sometimes prophetical

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.

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prophetic British  

/ prəˈfɛtɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to a prophet or prophecy

2. containing or of the nature of a prophecy; predictive

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Other Word Forms

• hyperprophetic adjective
• hyperprophetical adjective
• hyperprophetically adverb
• nonprophetic adjective
• nonprophetical adjective
• nonprophetically adverb
• postprophetic adjective
• postprophetical adjective
• preprophetic adjective
• propheticality noun
• prophetically adverb
• propheticalness noun
• pseudoprophetic adjective
• pseudoprophetical adjective
• quasi-prophetic adjective
• quasi-prophetical adjective
• quasi-prophetically adverb
• unprophetic adjective
• unprophetical adjective
• unprophetically adverb

Etymology

Origin of prophetic

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

Example Sentences

At a memorial service for the Rev. Jesse Jackson, his son Jesse Jr. praised his “consistent prophetic voice.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Williams’ words in December about Dalman’s exceptional brain, however, were followed by something less prophetic.

From Los Angeles Times

But the novel’s true greatness lies in its prophetic allegorical power.

From The Wall Street Journal

It certainly seems like the Cannes jury made some prophetic choices: the crop of films that premiered at the festival earned a total of 19 Oscar nominations.

From Barron's

“No! Is Mallory a name? It’s short for Malum. My great-aunt used to say it was prophetic. Because it means ‘mischief.’

From Literature

Related Words

• apocalyptic
• prescient