foretell

verb

fore·​tell fȯr-ˈtel 

foretold fȯr-ˈtōld  ; foretelling

transitive verb

: to tell beforehand : predict

foreteller noun

Synonyms

• augur
• call
• forecast
• predict
• presage
• prognosticate
• prophesy
• read
• vaticinate

Choose the Right Synonym for foretell

foretell, predict, forecast, prophesy, prognosticate mean to tell beforehand.

foretell applies to the telling of the coming of a future event by any procedure or any source of information.

seers foretold the calamity

predict commonly implies inference from facts or accepted laws of nature.

astronomers predicted an eclipse

forecast adds the implication of anticipating eventualities and differs from predict in being usually concerned with probabilities rather than certainties.

forecast snow

prophesy connotes inspired or mystic knowledge of the future especially as the fulfilling of divine threats or promises.

prophesying a new messiah

prognosticate is used less often than the other words; it may suggest learned or skilled interpretation, but more often it is simply a colorful substitute for predict or prophesy.

prognosticating the future

Examples of foretell in a Sentence

We cannot foretell the future.

a 16th-century astrologer who, some claim, accurately foretold 20th-century events

Recent Examples on the Web

But is the past foolproof in foretelling the future? —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025

Ultimately, lawyers can’t foretell what will happen at the airport, Oza said. —Makiya Seminera, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025

That could foretell how the justices would rule on antitrust cases regarding NIL or paying athletes to play sports. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 May 2025

Utah’s Great Salt Lake is drying up, foretelling a dire future for residents of Salt Lake City and the surrounding region if something isn’t done soon to reverse the lake’s decline. —Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foretell

• bagatelle
• caravel
• carousel
• carrousel
• citadel
• clientele
• commonweal
• decibel
• demoiselle
• fontanelle
• infidel
• isabel

Kids Definition

foretell

verb

fore·​tell fōr-ˈtel 

fȯr-

foretold -ˈtōld  ; foretelling

: to tell of or describe beforehand

foreteller noun