fortune-teller: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, occasionally neutral.
Quick answer
What does “fortune-teller” mean?
A person who claims to predict another person's future.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who claims to predict another person's future.
A person who practices divination, often using cards, palms, or crystal balls; can also refer to someone who makes frequent or accurate predictions in a metaphorical sense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The hyphenated form 'fortune-teller' is standard in both, though 'fortuneteller' is a less common variant.
Connotations
Similar in both: often implies a degree of skepticism or entertainment, rather than genuine belief.
Frequency
Similar frequency; perhaps slightly higher in UK English in historical/folk contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “fortune-teller” in a Sentence
fortune-teller + who/that + clausefortune-teller + told + NP + (that) clausefortune-teller + predicted + NPVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fortune-teller” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old woman claimed to be able to fortune-tell using tea leaves.
- He was accused of just fortune-telling, not providing real analysis.
American English
- It's not a science, you're just fortune-telling.
- The act of fortune-telling is regulated in some counties.
adverb
British English
- He looked at her cards fortune-tellingly.
American English
- She spoke fortune-tellingly about the company's future.
adjective
British English
- She had a fortune-telling business in the high street.
- It was just a fortune-telling trick.
American English
- They went to a fortune-telling booth at the state fair.
- He dismissed it as fortune-telling nonsense.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorically: "He was a fortune-teller when it came to market trends."
Academic
Rare; used in anthropology, sociology, or history to discuss traditional practices or superstitions.
Everyday
Common in narratives about fairs, carnivals, or discussing superstitions. "We went to see a fortune-teller for a laugh."
Technical
Not used in scientific contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fortune-teller”
- Spelling: 'fortuneteller' (less common) vs standard 'fortune-teller'. Using it as a verb: 'She fortune-telled my future.' (Incorrect; use 'predicted' or 'foretold').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard form is hyphenated: 'fortune-teller'. The one-word form 'fortuneteller' is less common but also accepted.
In some jurisdictions, it is considered fraud if the practitioner claims to have real supernatural powers for financial gain. In many places, it's legal as a form of entertainment.
A 'fortune-teller' specifically predicts future events, often using tools (cards, palms). A 'psychic' is a broader term claiming various extrasensory abilities (seeing the past, communicating with spirits, etc.), which may include fortune-telling.
Yes, metaphorically. For example, 'a tech fortune-teller' describes someone adept at predicting trends in technology, though a hint of skepticism often remains.
A person who claims to predict another person's future.
Fortune-teller is usually informal, occasionally neutral. in register.
Fortune-teller: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɔːtʃən ˌtelə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɔːrtʃən ˌtelər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't trust a fortune-teller with your life savings.”
- “He's no fortune-teller, but he saw that coming.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TELLER in a bank, but this one tells your FORTUNE instead of counting your cash.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE FUTURE IS A HIDDEN TEXT (to be read/deciphered). A PERSON IS AN INSTRUMENT/VESSEL FOR PREDICTION.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest synonym for 'fortune-teller' in a neutral, historical context?