Meaning & Definition of Foretell in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: To predict or indicate something before it occurs.

  Example Sentence: The meteorologist was able to foretell the storm several days in advance.

• Definition: To announce or make known beforehand.

  Example Sentence: The oracle would foretell the future for those who sought her advice.

• Definition: To serve as a warning or indication of something that will happen.

  Example Sentence: The dark clouds foretell the coming rain.

• Definition: To predict based on information or signs.

  Example Sentence: He tried to foretell the outcome of the election based on opinion polls.

• Definition: To prophesy; to make a prophetic prediction.

  Example Sentence: Many ancient texts foretell the rise and fall of empires.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English 'fortellen', from 'for-' meaning 'before' and 'tellen' meaning 'to tell'.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• foretell the future: to make predictions about what will happen later
• foretell doom: to predict impending disaster or calamity
• foretell events: to announce or indicate future occurrences
• foretell disaster: to indicate that something disastrous is likely to happen
• foretell a change: to predict that a transformation or a shift will occur

Translations

• Spanish: predecir

• French: prédire

• German: vorhersagen

• Russian: предсказать

Related Words

• prediction: the act of forecasting or estimating something that will happen in the future

• prophecy: a prediction of what will happen in the future, often through divine inspiration

• omen: an event regarded as a portent of good or evil

• sign: an indication that something will happen or is likely to happen

• augury: a sign of what will happen in the future; an omen

Slang Meanings of foretell

• Meaning: to call it

  Example Sentence: I can call it that this movie will be a hit.

• Meaning: to see it coming

  Example Sentence: I totally saw that breakup coming.