prophets: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Religious, Literary, Figurative
Quick answer
What does “prophets” mean?
People who are believed to be chosen by a deity to deliver divine messages, revelations, or warnings, often about the future.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
People who are believed to be chosen by a deity to deliver divine messages, revelations, or warnings, often about the future.
Individuals who predict or proclaim future events with great accuracy or insight; influential figures who advocate for significant social, technological, or ideological change.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or pronunciation differences. Usage is identical in religious contexts. In secular/metaphorical use, 'prophet' might be slightly more common in American political commentary.
Connotations
Identical core religious connotations. In British English, historical/literary references (e.g., Old Testament prophets) might be slightly more prevalent in general discourse.
Frequency
Comparable frequency. Higher in texts related to theology, history, and literature in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “prophets” in a Sentence
PROPHET of + NOUN (abstract) (prophets of doom, prophets of change)PROPHET + VERB (prophets warn, prophets predict, prophets foretell)ADJECTIVE + PROPHET (false prophets, ancient prophets, major prophets)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “prophets” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The ancient texts prophetised a great flood.
- (Note: 'prophesy' is the standard verb, 'prophetise' is rare/archaic)
American English
- He claimed to prophesy the market crash with uncanny accuracy.
adverb
British English
- He spoke prophetically about the challenges ahead.
- (Usage is rare and formal)
American English
- She predicted, prophetically, that the technology would become ubiquitous.
adjective
British English
- The prophetic writings of Isaiah are studied in depth.
- She had a prophetic dream about the event.
American English
- His warnings proved prophetic when the system failed.
- The book's prophetic vision of society.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Metaphorically: 'He was a prophet of the digital revolution, investing early in internet startups.'
Academic
Common in Religious Studies, Theology, History, and Literature departments. 'The literary prophets of the 8th century BCE.'
Everyday
Limited to religious discussion or figurative use for pessimistic predictions. 'Don't be such a prophet of doom about the weather!'
Technical
Not a technical term outside of religious academia.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “prophets”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “prophets”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “prophets”
- Misspelling as 'profits' (homophone error). Incorrect singular/plural: 'prophet' (singular) vs. 'prophets' (plural).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'prophet' typically implies a divine or profoundly authoritative source for their message, often with a moral or religious dimension. A 'fortune teller' suggests a secular, often informal or superstitious, practice of predicting personal futures.
Yes, though historically most referenced prophets are male, the term is gender-neutral. Examples include the prophetess Deborah in the Hebrew Bible. The plural 'prophets' can include men and women.
No. 'Profits' refers to financial gain. They are homophones (sound the same) but have completely different meanings and spellings. Context is crucial for correct usage.
In the Christian Old Testament, this refers to the length of the biblical books, not the importance of the prophets. 'Major Prophets' (e.g., Isaiah, Jeremiah) have longer books. 'Minor Prophets' (e.g., Hosea, Joel) have shorter books, often compiled into one.
People who are believed to be chosen by a deity to deliver divine messages, revelations, or warnings, often about the future.
Prophets is usually formal, religious, literary, figurative in register.
Prophets: in British English it is pronounced /ˈprɒf.ɪts/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈprɑː.fɪts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Prophets of doom”
- “A prophet is not without honour save in his own country”
- “To be a prophet of doom/gloom”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'PROPHETS PROPHESY future events.' Both words start with 'PROPH-' and are linked to telling the future.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING THE FUTURE IS SEEING (seer, visionary); A MESSENGER IS A CONDUIT (divine messenger); WARNING OF DISASTER IS PROPHESYING (prophet of doom).
Practice
Quiz
In a secular, modern context, a 'prophet of doom' is best described as: