Definition

Having knowledge of events before they happen; able to foresee or predict future events.

Example

The prescient investor made a fortune by predicting the market crash.

Conversation

Did you see how the weather forecast was so accurate this week?

Yeah, it was surprisingly prescient about the storm coming in.

I wish I had that kind of foresight for my plans!

Right? If only we could all be that prescient in our decisions.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Prescient → It is formed from "pre-" (meaning before) and "sciens" (from "scire", meaning to know). The word describes someone who knows or perceives things before they happen.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who knows things 'before' they happen — 'pre-' means before, and 'sciens' relates to knowing.

Visually Confused Words