diviner: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Literary/Occult
Quick answer
What does “diviner” mean?
A person who claims to foresee the future or discover hidden knowledge through supernatural or magical means.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who claims to foresee the future or discover hidden knowledge through supernatural or magical means.
Anyone who predicts or discerns something with remarkable accuracy; can be used metaphorically for someone with great insight.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in denotation. Both varieties use the word with the same core meaning.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to appear in British English in historical or literary contexts due to stronger cultural ties to folklore (e.g., Arthurian legends). In American English, may more frequently be associated with caricatures of "fortune tellers" or specific subcultures (e.g., New Age).
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but marginally higher in UK English corpus data.
Grammar
How to Use “diviner” in a Sentence
the diviner of [abstract noun: e.g., truth, fate]a diviner for [group: e.g., the tribe, the king]a diviner with [tool: e.g., a rod, bones]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “diviner” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She sought to divine the will of the gods.
- He could not divine their true intentions from the letter.
American English
- The dowser tried to divine the location of water.
- It's hard to divine what the political fallout will be.
adverb
British English
- N/A for 'diviner'. The related adverb is 'divinely'.
American English
- N/A for 'diviner'. The related adverb is 'divinely'.
adjective
British English
- The augurs studied the divine will. (Note: 'divine' as adjective, not from 'diviner')
American English
- He claimed a divine inspiration for his predictions. (Note: 'divine' as adjective, not from 'diviner')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Used metaphorically: "He was a diviner of market trends."
Academic
Found in anthropology, religious studies, history. Denotes specific cultural roles.
Everyday
Very rare. If used, often in a skeptical or humorous tone.
Technical
Used in archaeology/anthropology to describe practitioners of specific divination methods.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “diviner”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “diviner”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “diviner”
- Confusing 'diviner' (person) with 'divining' (activity).
- Misspelling as 'divinner'.
- Using in overly casual contexts where 'fortune teller' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'diviner' often implies a specific, sometimes ritualistic method (using rods, bones, entrails, etc.) and can have a historical or cultural role. A 'fortune teller' is a more general, modern term often associated with crystal balls, palm reading, and carnival settings.
No. While often viewed skeptically in secular contexts, the term is used neutrally or respectfully in anthropology, history, and within cultures where divination is an accepted spiritual or social practice.
No. 'Diviner' is only a noun. The related verb is 'to divine' (meaning to discover by intuition or magic, or to guess).
A specific type of diviner, also called a 'dowser', who uses a forked stick (divining rod) or other tools to locate underground water sources.
A person who claims to foresee the future or discover hidden knowledge through supernatural or magical means.
Diviner is usually formal/literary/occult in register.
Diviner: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˈvaɪnə/, and in American English it is pronounced /dəˈvaɪnər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “as sure as a diviner's rod”
- “to have the touch of a diviner (metaphorical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DIVINEr has DIVINE in it—someone seeking divine (godly) knowledge.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A HIDDEN OBJECT (to be divined/dowsed for). FUTURE IS A LANDSCAPE (to be mapped by the diviner).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'diviner' used most accurately?