Definition of 'prophet'
Word forms: prophets
countable noun
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Video: pronunciation of
prophet
Word Frequency
prophet in American English
noun
1.
a person who speaks for God or a god, or as though under divine
guidance
3.
a spokesman for some cause, group, movement, etc.
4.
a person who predicts future events in any way
Idioms:
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin
ME prophete < OFr < LL propheta, soothsayer, in LL(Ec), prophet < Gr prophētēs, interpreter of a god's will (in LXX, a Hebrew prophet; in N.T., an inspired preacher)
< pro-, before + phanai, to speak: see
ban1Word Frequency
prophet in British English
noun
1.
a person who supposedly speaks by
divine
inspiration, esp one through whom a
divinity expresses his or her
will
▶ Related adjective: vaticCollins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
prophetess (ˈprophetess) feminine noun
prophet-like (ˈprophet-ˌlike)
adjective
Word origin
C13: from Old French prophète, from Latin prophēta, from Greek prophētēs one who declares the divine will, from pro-2 + phanai to speak
Word Frequency
Prophet in British English
noun
the Prophet
1.
2.
a name for
Joseph
Smith as founder of the Church of
Jesus
Christ of
Latter-day
Saints (
Mormon Church), or any of his
successors as head of the Church
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Examples of 'prophet' in a sentence
prophet
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.
Read more…
Quotations
A prophet is not without
honour, but in his own country Bible: St. Mark
Trends of
prophet
View usage over:
In other languages
prophet
British English: prophet NOUN
A prophet is a person who is believed to be chosen by God to say the things that God wants to tell people.
...a holy prophet.
Nearby words of
prophet
Related terms of
prophet
Source
Definition of prophet from the
Collins English Dictionary
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
chilli or chilly?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
chilly
chilli
It was a afternoon.
spoke or spoken?
Which version is correct?
pain or pane?
Which version is correct?
mail or male?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
male
mail
Most of the people in the audience were .
flea or flee?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
flea
flee
The disease spread from rats to humans by bites.
Your score:
Word of the day
ratatouille
Ratatouille is a cooked dish made with vegetables such as tomatoes, onions , aubergines, courgettes, and peppers.
Latest Word Submissions
From glamping to drivecations: the search for the best staycation
Riddle: When is a staycation not a staycation?
To me it seems like centuries ago that we Brits first cottoned on to that handy word staycation. I’d place it at about 15 years ago – which at today’s speed of change feels more like 150.
Read more
Study guides for every stage of your learning journey
Whether you're in search of a crossword puzzle, a detailed guide to tying knots, or tips on writing the perfect college essay, Harper Reference has you covered for all your study needs.
Read more
Anticipation and rain check are among the most frequently looked-up words in July
Perhaps the most striking thing about the list of words that people have looked up in the Collins Dictionary in July is that it no longer contains a lot of words that were being looked up earlier in the year.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Join the Collins community
All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month.
Read more
Updating our Usage
There are many diverse influences on the way that English is used across the world today. We look at some of the ways in which the language is changing. Read our series of blogs to find out more.
Read more
Area 51, Starship, and Harvest Moon: September’s Words in the News
I’m sure a lot of people would agree that we live in strange times. But do they have to be so strange that Area 51 is making headlines? And what’s this about fish the look like aliens. September’s Words in the News explain all.
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
comic or comical?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
comical
comic
There is something slightly about them.
alternate or alternative?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
alternative
alternate
There is no to hard work.
ashamed or embarrassed?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
ashamed
embarrassed
I was of myself for getting so angry.
allow or let?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
allow
let
Will you me to go to the party?
afraid or frightened?
Which version is correct?
Your score: