Grammarama

Prophecy vs. Prophesy

Prophecy is a noun, and it refers to a prediction. Prophesy, on the other hand, is a verb that means “to make a prophecy,” or, more simply, “to predict.” However, these words are usually applied to a profound prediction, often based – or purportedly based – on supernatural revelation. The words come from “prophet,” after all.

They look like they may be homophones, but they’re not. The first two syllables for each word are the same, pronounced like “prophet” without the T, but the last syllable of prophecy is pronounced “see” and the last syllable of prophesy is pronounced “sigh.”

Examples:

The prophecy has been fulfilled!
What can you prophesy about my future?
Nostradamus wrote many vague prophecies in the 16th century.
“I’ll live to regret this,” I prophesied.