Prophecy vs. Prophesy
“Prophecy” is a noun, while “prophesy” is a verb. Use “a prophecy” for a prediction or prophetic statement and “to prophesy” for the act of predicting or declaring what will happen.
Use “prophecy” as the noun and “prophesy” as the verb. A prophecy is a prediction; to prophesy is to predict or say what will happen.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Sentence job | Choose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| thing/prediction (noun) | prophecy | a prophecy about the future |
| action of predicting (verb) | prophesy | They prophesy a change. |
Further guidance
Pronunciation Boundary
The spellings also correspond to different final sounds in Cambridge’s pronunciations: prophecy ends with an /s/ sound, while prophesy ends with /saɪ/.
Word Class Boundary
“Prophecy” is a noun for a prediction or the ability to predict; “prophesy” is a verb meaning to say or predict that something will happen.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- prophecy — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Definition and noun role of prophecy
- prophesy — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Definition and verb role of prophesy