Soothsayer: meaning, definitions and examples

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soothsayer

 

[ หˆsuหฮธseษชษ™r ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

fortune telling

A person who claims to have supernatural ability to predict the future or interpret omens.

Synonyms

oracle, prophet, seer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
soothsayer

Refers to someone who predicts the future based on intuition or mystical abilities. Typically used in historic or fantasy settings.

  • The village soothsayer warned the townsfolk of the coming storm.
  • She visited a soothsayer to learn about her future.
prophet

Denotes someone who is believed to receive messages from a divine power, usually in a religious context. It is commonly used to describe figures in the Bible or other religious texts.

  • Moses is considered a prophet in many religions.
  • The prophet's words were written down and revered by his followers.
seer

Refers to someone who claims to see visions of the future or other hidden aspects of reality. This term can be used in both historical and fantasy contexts, as well as modern metaphoric use.

  • The seer stared into her crystal ball and described what she saw.
  • People came from far and wide to hear the seer's visions.
oracle

Often used to describe a person or entity that provides wise and insightful predictions, frequently linked to ancient times and divine communication.

  • The oracle of Delphi was famous for her prophecies.
  • They sought an oracle to gain insight into their fate.

Examples of usage

  • The soothsayer warned the king of an impending disaster.
  • People would flock to the soothsayer seeking guidance on important decisions.
Context #2 | Noun

historical context

In ancient Rome, a religious official who interpreted omens and advised the government.

Synonyms

augur, haruspex.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
soothsayer

Best used in modern contexts when referring to a person who predicts the future, typically in a general, mystical or folkloric sense.

  • The soothsayer warned the villagers about the impending storm.
  • In the story, the hero consults a soothsayer for guidance.
augur

Most appropriate in historical contexts, or when discussing ancient Roman society or traditions related to interpreting omens.

  • The augur read the flight patterns of birds to advise the emperor.
  • In ancient Rome, senators often sought the counsel of an augur before making decisions.
haruspex

Best used in very specific historical or scholarly contexts related to ancient Roman practices of divination through the inspection of animal entrails.

  • The haruspex examined the liver of the sacrificed animal to predict the outcome of the battle.
  • Haruspices played an important role in Roman rituals.

Examples of usage

  • The soothsayer in Julius Caesar warned him to 'Beware the Ides of March.'
  • The Senate consulted the soothsayer before making important decisions.

Translations

Translations of the word "soothsayer" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น adivinho

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคญเคตเคฟเคทเฅเคฏเคตเค•เฅเคคเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Wahrsager

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ peramal

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฒั–ั‰ัƒะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ wrรณลผbita

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ไบˆ่จ€่€… (yogensha)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท devin

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ adivino

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kรขhin

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์˜ˆ์–ธ์ž (yeonjeonja)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุนุฑุงู

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ vฤ›ลกtec

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ veลกtec

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้ข„่จ€ๅฎถ (yรนyรกn jiฤ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ prerok

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ spรกkona

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะฐะปะณะตั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฌแƒ˜แƒœแƒแƒกแƒฌแƒแƒ แƒ›แƒ”แƒขแƒงแƒ•แƒ”แƒšแƒ˜ (ts'inasts'armet'qveli)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ falcฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ adivino

Etymology

The word 'soothsayer' has its origins in Old English and Middle English, where 'sooth' meant truth or reality, and 'say' meant speak. So a 'soothsayer' was someone who spoke the truth or reality. The term has been used throughout history to describe individuals with supposed supernatural abilities to predict the future or interpret omens.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,498 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.