foretell
C1Formal, Literary
Definition
Meaning
To predict or prophesy a future event before it happens.
To serve as an advance sign or warning of something to come; to indicate beforehand.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies mystical or supernatural insight, or a prediction based on signs/omens. Less common in casual conversation than 'predict'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or form. Slightly more frequent in literary contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes prophecy, divination, or fate. Sounds more archaic and portentous than 'predict'.
Frequency
Low frequency in both dialects, primarily found in formal writing, historical texts, and discussions of prophecy.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Someone] foretells [something].[Something] foretells [something else].It is foretold that [clause].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to 'foretell'. Related: 'a foregone conclusion'.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in high-level strategic contexts, e.g., 'The data did not foretell the market collapse.'
Academic
Used in historical, religious, or literary studies discussing prophecy or foreshadowing.
Everyday
Very rare. Replaced by 'predict' or 'forecast'.
Technical
Used in meteorology or predictive modelling only in a literary or historical sense, not as a technical term.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The ancient seer sought to foretell the king's destiny.
- Dark clouds often foretell a coming storm.
- It is foretold in the prophecy.
American English
- No one could have foretold the election outcome.
- The economic indicators foretell a difficult year ahead.
- Her dream seemed to foretell the accident.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The old book tries to foretell the future.
- Can anyone really foretell tomorrow's weather?
- Some believe that dreams can foretell real events.
- The strange signs seemed to foretell a great change.
- The analyst's report foretold the company's financial difficulties with uncanny accuracy.
- Ancient rituals were performed to foretell the outcome of the battle.
- The novel's opening paragraph subtly foretells the tragic denouement.
- Historians debate whether any political commentator truly foretold the revolution's scale.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FORETELL = FORE (ahead of time) + TELL (to say). You TELL something FORE it happens.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE FUTURE IS A STORY TO BE READ/TOLD. (e.g., 'The stars foretold his fate.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'предсказывать' in casual contexts; 'foretell' is more specific and formal. Do not use for weather forecasts ('predict'/'forecast' is better).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He foretelled the result.' (Correct: 'He foretold the result.') Past tense is 'foretold'.
- Incorrect: Used for simple guesses. (It implies special knowledge or signs.)
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'foretell' most appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Foretell' is formal/literary and implies prophecy or omens. 'Predict' is neutral and common. 'Forecast' is often used for weather or quantitative trends.
It is irregular. The past tense and past participle are both 'foretold'.
Yes, but it is more commonly associated with negative or fateful events (doom, disaster). It can be neutral, e.g., 'foretell a victory'.
No, it is relatively uncommon and has a formal, somewhat archaic flavour. 'Predict' is the standard choice in most contexts.
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