prophetess: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, literary, religious
Quick answer
What does “prophetess” mean?
A female prophet.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A female prophet; a woman who speaks or claims to speak by divine inspiration or as an interpreter of the will of a god.
A woman who predicts the future; a female seer. In extended use, a woman who advocates or speaks out for a cause, doctrine, or group with moral authority.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or form. Both varieties use the same spelling and pronunciation.
Connotations
Slightly more archaic/conservative in British English, often reserved for biblical/historical contexts. In American English, it may see slightly more use in charismatic religious contexts or feminist reclamation.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties. More common in religious texts, historical discourse, and literature than in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “prophetess” in a Sentence
prophetess of + [deity/cause]prophetess who + [clause]prophetess from + [place]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “prophetess” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She was said to prophetess the coming famine.
- (Note: 'prophesy' is the standard verb; 'prophetess' as a verb is non-standard/archaic)
American English
- (The verb form is not used in modern English; the verb is 'prophesy'.)
adverb
British English
- She spoke prophetessly of the events.
- (Note: 'prophetically' is the standard adverb)
American English
- (The adverb form is not used; the adverb is 'prophetically'.)
adjective
British English
- The prophetess vision was recorded in the chronicles.
- (Note: 'prophetic' is the standard adjective)
American English
- Her prophetess role was widely acknowledged.
- (Note: 'prophetic' is the standard adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, history, classical studies, and gender studies to discuss female religious figures.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used in religious communities or in metaphorical/literary speech.
Technical
Not a technical term outside specific theological discourse.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “prophetess”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “prophetess”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “prophetess”
- Incorrect: *'She was a prophet of the new movement.' (if emphasizing female gender, 'prophetess' is correct). Incorrect: Using 'prophetess' for a male.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is quite rare and formal. In modern non-religious contexts, the gender-neutral 'prophet' is often preferred, or more contemporary terms like 'visionary' or 'seer'.
A 'prophetess' typically implies a religious or divinely inspired authority and often addresses major social/moral events. A 'fortune-teller' is more associated with personal fate, entertainment, and folk practices, lacking the same weight of authority.
Yes, but it is usually metaphorical or literary. For example, 'a prophetess of the environmental movement' suggests she was an early and passionate advocate who predicted current crises.
In modern English, the '-ess' suffix is often viewed as unnecessary gendering. Many prefer the base form 'prophet' for all genders. Using 'prophetess' can sometimes sound archaic or be a conscious choice to highlight gender in a historical/religious context.
A female prophet.
Prophetess is usually formal, literary, religious in register.
Prophetess: in British English it is pronounced /ˈprɒf.ɪ.təs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈprɑː.fə.təs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a prophetess of doom”
- “no prophetess in her own country”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PROPHET + ESS. Just like 'actress' is a female actor, a 'prophetess' is a female prophet.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS LIGHT / A PROPHET(ESS) IS A LIGHT-BEARER (brings illumination to the future).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most contextually appropriate use of 'prophetess'?