A soothsayer is someone who can foretell the future. ... A fortune teller is also known as a soothsayer, or someone who claims to be able to predict the future. Long ago, a soothsayer might have been considered a useful consultant, even for a government, but today soothsayers are more likely to be scoffed at.

What's the origin of soothsayer?

Did you know? The origins of today's word are straightforward: a "soothsayer" is someone who says sooth. ... "Sooth" is an archaic word meaning "truth" or "reality" that dates from Old English and was used until about the first half of the 17th century.

What is a soothsaying?

1 : the act of foretelling events. 2 : prediction, prophecy. Other Words from soothsaying Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About soothsaying.