soothsayer

Definition

One who attempts to predict the future, using magic, intuition or intelligence; a diviner.

Etymology

From Middle English sothsaier, zothziggere, by surface analysis, sooth (“truth”) + sayer.

Example Sentences

• "It is a great pleasure to be with you today and to speak to you concerning the future of medicine. In so doing, I do not wish to pose as a soothsayer or crystal gazer."
• "The past twenty years have seen their share of soothsayers ready to predict with conviction one extreme or another of the alternative futures I have presented."
• "The doomsday prophet / Whose words have all come true / The naysaying soothsayer / So cynical and blue"

Related Words