soothsaying: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, literary, historical
Quick answer
What does “soothsaying” mean?
The practice or act of foretelling the future, or making prophecies.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The practice or act of foretelling the future, or making prophecies.
Predicting or prophesying events; any activity claiming to predict the future, often associated with mysticism, divination, or fortune-telling.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. The term is equally understood and similarly archaic in both variants.
Connotations
Connotes antiquity, mysticism, and sometimes charlatanism. Neutral-to-negative in modern skeptical contexts.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both, but might appear slightly more often in British English in historical or literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “soothsaying” in a Sentence
[to be] accused of ~[to practise/engage in] ~the art/practice of ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “soothsaying” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old crone was said to soothsay by reading the entrails of chickens.
American English
- Few claim to soothsay with any real accuracy in the modern age.
adjective
British English
- (Rare) He had a certain soothsaying air about him, as if he knew more than he let on.
American English
- (Rare) The book details soothsaying rituals from various ancient cultures.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, used metaphorically to disparage unreliable market predictions (e.g., 'His stock picks are mere soothsaying.').
Academic
Used in historical, anthropological, or religious studies contexts to describe ancient practices.
Everyday
Very rare. If used, it's often humorous or derogatory towards vague predictions.
Technical
Not used in scientific or technical fields except as a historical reference.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “soothsaying”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “soothsaying”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “soothsaying”
- Using it as a verb (the verb is 'to soothsay', but it's exceedingly rare).
- Confusing 'sooth' with 'soothe'.
- Using it in a modern, positive context without irony.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, yes, in many cultures. Today, it is not a recognized profession in the scientific sense and is often associated with fortune-tellers or psychics.
Both involve predicting the future. 'Prophecy' often has a religious or divine inspiration connotation, while 'soothsaying' refers more to the technique or practice of foretelling, often using specific methods (like reading omens).
It is typically neutral or negative in modern usage, implying a lack of evidence. Using it positively would require a context that accepts the validity of mystical prediction, such as in historical or fantasy narratives.
Yes, the verb is 'to soothsay', but it is extremely rare and archaic. It is more common to use phrases like 'to practice soothsaying' or 'to engage in soothsaying'.
The practice or act of foretelling the future, or making prophecies.
Soothsaying is usually formal, literary, historical in register.
Soothsaying: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsuːθˌseɪ.ɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsuːθˌseɪ.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “All soothsaying and no substance (a modern play on the idiom 'all show and no substance').”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SOOTH (an old word for 'truth') + SAYING. A 'truth-sayer' who claims to tell future truths.
Conceptual Metaphor
PREDICTION IS A MESSAGE FROM A MYSTICAL SOURCE; THE FUTURE IS A TEXT TO BE READ.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate modern synonym for 'soothsaying' in a skeptical context?