Foresee: meaning, definitions and examples

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foresee

 

[ fɔːrˈsiː ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

future prediction

To foresee means to anticipate or predict something that will happen in the future. It involves having the ability to imagine or predict what may occur later on.

Synonyms

anticipate, envision, forecast, foretell, predict.

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Word Description / Examples
foresee

Used when talking about knowing or being aware of something in advance, often based on current knowledge or logical reasoning.

  • I foresee many challenges in our upcoming project
  • She could foresee the difficulties they would face
predict

Used for making a statement about what will happen in the future based on observation, experience, or scientific reasoning.

  • Scientists predict that climate change will continue to accelerate
  • I cannot predict what will happen next
anticipate

Often used in situations where there is an expectation or preparation for something. It involves looking forward and planning accordingly.

  • We need to anticipate possible objections during the meeting
  • They anticipated the event with great excitement
envision

Used when talking about forming a mental image or idea of what the future might look like, often in a creative or positive manner.

  • She envisions a world without poverty
  • I can envision a successful outcome for this project
foretell

Generally used in more mystical or prophetic contexts, often with a sense of predicting the future in a way that seems almost supernatural.

  • The oracle was said to foretell future events
  • Legends say that the old hermit could foretell disasters
forecast

Commonly used in contexts involving predictions based on analysis, particularly in weather, economics, and similar fields.

  • The weather forecast predicts rain for the weekend
  • Analysts forecast a rise in stock prices

Examples of usage

  • I can foresee a time when robots will do most of the work for us.
  • She could foresee the challenges that lay ahead.
  • The expert foresaw the economic downturn and took appropriate measures.
  • We need to foresee potential problems before they arise.
  • It's important to foresee the consequences of your actions.

Translations

Translations of the word "foresee" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prever

🇮🇳 पूर्वानुमान करना

🇩🇪 vorhersehen

🇮🇩 meramalkan

🇺🇦 передбачати

🇵🇱 przewidywać

🇯🇵 予見する (yoken suru)

🇫🇷 prévoir

🇪🇸 prever

🇹🇷 öngörmek

🇰🇷 예견하다 (yegyeonhada)

🇸🇦 يتنبأ (yatanabba')

🇨🇿 předvídat

🇸🇰 predvídať

🇨🇳 预见 (yùjiàn)

🇸🇮 predvideti

🇮🇸 sjá fyrir

🇰🇿 болжау

🇬🇪 წინასწარმეტყველება (ts'inastsarmet'q'veleba)

🇦🇿 proqnozlaşdırmaq

🇲🇽 prever

Etymology

The word 'foresee' originated from the Old English word 'foreseon' which means 'to have a mental picture of what is to come'. It has been in use since the 12th century and has evolved to its current meaning of anticipating or predicting future events.

See also: foreseeing, foreseen, oversee, overseeing, overseer, see, seeable, seeing, seer, seesaw, seethe, unseeing.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,720, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.