divination: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Literary, Academic
Quick answer
What does “divination” mean?
the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means.
Any skillful prediction or inspired guess about future events or hidden information, not necessarily supernatural.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slightly more common in historical/academic contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Primarily associated with ancient practices, occultism, or folklore. Can be used pejoratively to imply guesswork.
Frequency
Low-frequency word in everyday conversation; appears more in specialized texts.
Grammar
How to Use “divination” in a Sentence
divination by [method]divination of [the future/an event]divination through [means]divination from [signs/omens]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “divination” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Ancient priests would divine the will of the gods through augury.
- She claimed to be able to divine water with a hazel twig.
American English
- He tried to divine the winner of the election from tea leaves.
- The old miner could seemingly divine where the gold was.
adverb
British English
- The oracle spoke diviningly, her words cryptic and portentous. (Archaic/Rare)
- He gazed diviningly into the crystal ball. (Archaic/Rare)
American English
- She looked at the cards diviningly, searching for meaning. (Archaic/Rare)
adjective
British English
- The divinatory rituals involved reading the flight patterns of birds.
- She consulted a divinatory text on rune casting.
American English
- They used a divinatory board, similar to a Ouija board.
- His insights seemed almost divinatory in their accuracy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; metaphorical: 'His divination of market trends was uncanny.'
Academic
Common in anthropology, religious studies, history: 'The paper examines divination rites in Mesopotamian culture.'
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used humorously: 'I need some divination to figure out what he wants for dinner.'
Technical
Specific in occult studies, comparative religion, and parapsychology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “divination”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “divination”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “divination”
- Using 'divination' as a synonym for any guess. Incorrect: 'My divination was that it would rain.' (Correct for a random guess: 'My guess was...')
- Confusing with 'divine' (verb) meaning to discover intuitively. 'Divination' is the noun for the practice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar, but 'divination' is a more formal, academic, or historical term encompassing a wider range of ritual practices. 'Fortune-telling' is more colloquial and often implies telling personal futures.
Yes, but this is an extended or metaphorical use. It describes a remarkably accurate or insightful guess, e.g., 'It would take an act of divination to know what he's thinking.'
The verb is 'to divine' (pronounced /dɪˈvaɪn/). It means to discover (something) by intuition, insight, or magical means. Example: 'She divined the truth from his expression.'
No. In academic contexts, it is studied as a cultural, anthropological, or historical phenomenon. It is not considered a scientific method for obtaining reliable knowledge about the natural world.
the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means.
Divination is usually formal, literary, academic in register.
Divination: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪv.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪv.əˈneɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “more guesswork than divination”
- “a stroke of divination (archaic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DIVINE + ACTION = DIVINATION. Think of an action (practice) to access the divine (supernatural knowledge).
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING IS SEEING (THE UNSEEN); THE FUTURE IS A HIDDEN OBJECT TO BE UNCOVERED.
Practice
Quiz
In its most precise sense, 'divination' refers to: