foretell
To predict; to tell before it occurs; to prophesyTo predict; to tell (the future) before it occurs; to prophesy.
» No one can foretell the future.
Niemand kann die Zukunft vorhersagen.
Никто не может предсказать будущее.
Ніхто не може передбачити майбутнє.
Meaning
2 senses(ambitransitive)To predict; to tell (the future) before it occurs; to prophesy.
weissagen, wahrsagen, vorhersagen
предска́зыватьpredskázyvatʹ
(transitive)To tell (a person) of the future.
- make a prediction about; tell in advance
- foreshadow or presage
- indicate, as with a sign or an omen
Examples
17 sentencesNo one can foretell the future.
Ніхто не може передбачити майбутнє.
ruНикто не может предсказать будущее.
deNiemand kann die Zukunft vorhersagen.
Mary can foretell the future.
Мері може передбачити майбутнє.
ruМэри может предсказывать будущее.
deMaria kann die Zukunft vorhersagen.
It's completely impossible to foretell his reaction.
ruЕго реакцию совершенно невозможно предсказать.
Everything happened exactly as Tom had foretold.
It is not mine to foretell the future.
Translations
7 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
First use appears before 1400, from Middle English foretellen, equivalent to fore- + tell.First use appears before 1400, from Middle English foretellen, equivalent to fore- + tell.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
foretells, foretelling, foretold, foretoldSynonyms
22 synonyms- make a prediction about; tell in advance:predictprognosticatecallforebodeanticipatepromise
- foreshadow or presage:announceannunciateharbingerherald
- indicate, as with a sign or an omen:bodeportendauspicateprognosticateomenpresagebetokenforeshadow
Word family
7 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, irregular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle