Word
seer
/ˈsiɹ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who can see into the future or has great wisdom about what will happen. In old stories, they often use magic or special powers to predict events.
n. a person credited with the ability to foresee future events through supernatural insight or exceptional wisdom. Often carries a literary or mystical tone.
Examples
“The old seer predicted a great change for the kingdom.”
“In many ancient myths, the hero must visit a blind seer to learn their true destiny.”
“Modern market analysts are sometimes treated as secular seers, though their predictions often rely more on historical data than on any genuine prophetic ability.”
Examples
simple
“The old seer predicted a great change for the kingdom.”
contextual
“In many ancient myths, the hero must visit a blind seer to learn their true destiny.”
complex
“Modern market analysts are sometimes treated as secular seers, though their predictions often rely more on historical data than on any genuine prophetic ability.”
Usage
Often used in literary, mythological, or historical contexts.
Real-World Examples
“Rimbaud’s manifesto was unambiguous: he declared that a poet “makes himself a seer through a long, prodigious and rational disordering of all the senses.” Absinthe, with its hallucinogenic effects, could achieve just that.” Etymology
From Middle English seere, equivalent to see + -er (“agent suffix”).
See sihr.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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