prefiguring
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈpriːfɪɡərɪŋ/
KK: /priˈfɪɡərɪŋ/
noun
Definition
A specific example or case that shows or suggests what will happen in the future.
Example
The artist's early sketches were a prefiguring of the final masterpiece.
Conversation
Did you notice any prefiguring in the first season of that show?
Yeah, I think they hinted at a lot of things that happened later.
Exactly! The prefiguring made the plot twists even more exciting.
For sure, it kept me guessing about what would come next.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
foreshadowing
harbinger
omen
Antonyms
aftermath
consequence
result
verb
Definition
To show or suggest something that will happen in the future; to foreshadow.
Example
The early signs of spring are prefiguring the arrival of warmer weather.
Tense Forms
Past: prefigured
Past Participle: prefigured
Conversation
Did you notice how the book was prefiguring the ending from the start?
Yeah, I thought that was really clever!
It made me think about how authors drop hints all the time.
Root Explanation
Prefiguring → It is formed from "pre-" (meaning before) and "figurare" (meaning to shape or form). The word "prefiguring" means shaping or forming something before it actually occurs or is realized.
Memory Tip
Think of 'before' ('pre-') shaping or forming something ('figurare') — that's what prefiguring means.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.