Soothsayer Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈsoʊθseɪər/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A person who is believed to be able to foretell the future or read people’s thoughts, often through supernatural or paranormal means.

Examples

• The fortune teller claimed to be a soothsayer, able to predict the future for her clients.
• The ancient Greeks believed in the power of soothsayers to interpret the will of the gods.
• The mystic proclaimed herself a soothsayer, with the ability to see beyond the veil of reality.

Synonyms

• Fortune teller
• Seer
• Prophet

Antonyms

• Unpredictable
• Unforeseeable

Etymology

The word “soothsayer” comes from the Old English word “sooth” meaning “true” and “sægan” meaning “to say”.

Usage Notes

Soothsayers are often used in historical or literary contexts to describe people who claim to possess supernatural abilities.

Cultural References

Soothsayers have appeared in various forms of media, including the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, the novel “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown, and the TV show “Salem”.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

“The soothsayer’s eyes are on the future, the seer’s eyes are on the past”

Related Words or Phrases

Prophecy, divination, augury

Collocations

Soothsayer with crystal ball, soothsayer reading tarot cards

Frequency of Use

The word “soothsayer” is relatively uncommon in modern language, but it can be found in literary and historical contexts.

Common Misspellings

Sother, Soothsay, Sothesayer