verb ·Moderate ·College level

Definitions

Verb

1. 1
   To predict or forecast, especially through the application of skill. transitive

   "Examining the tea-leaves, she prognosticated dark days ahead."

2. 2
   indicate, as with a sign or an omen wordnet
3. 3
   To presage, betoken. transitive

   "The bluebells may prognosticate an early spring this year."

4. 4
   make a prediction about; tell in advance wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms

foreshadowforetellportendpredictpresageadumbrate

Example

More examples

"The mayor refused to prognosticate as to his margin of victory in the election."

Etymology

From Medieval Latin prognosticare; see prognostic for more.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.