Quick answer: Prophecy (ending in -cy, pronounced "proff-uh-see") is a noun meaning a prediction, especially one believed to be divinely inspired: The ancient prophecy foretold a great flood. Prophesy (ending in -sy, pronounced "proff-uh-sigh") is a verb meaning to predict or foretell: The oracle prophesied the fall of the city. This is the same noun/verb spelling pattern as advice/advise and practice/practise. For a fuller definition, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for ‘prophecy’.
Comparison Table
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| prophecy | noun | a prediction, especially one believed to be divinely inspired | The prophecy was fulfilled generations later. |
| prophesy | verb | to predict or foretell, especially with the authority of divine inspiration | The prophet prophesied a time of great change. |
Using Prophecy (Noun)
Prophecy is always a noun, referring to a prediction or foretelling of future events, often religious or mystical in nature.
The prophecy spoke of a chosen leader who would unite the tribes.
Many ancient cultures kept records of their prophecies.
Some readers see the novel's ending as a kind of prophecy for modern society.
The old prophecy finally came true after a thousand years.
Using Prophesy (Verb)
Prophesy is always a verb, meaning to predict or foretell something, often with a tone of authority or inspiration, whether religious, mystical, or simply confident.
The priestess prophesied disaster if the ritual was ignored.
Economists prophesy a difficult year ahead for the housing market.
He prophesied that the empire would eventually collapse.
The old man prophesies doom every time the weather changes.
Memory Trick
PropheCY (noun) rhymes with "legacy" — both are things, nouns. PropheSY (verb) rhymes with the action verb "to say" — think of saying a prediction aloud, an action.
Common Mistakes
✗ The ancient prophesy warned of a great flood.
✓ The ancient prophecy warned of a great flood.
✗ The oracle prophecied the king's downfall.
✓ The oracle prophesied the king's downfall.
Tips to Avoid Confusion
- Remember the -CY ending is the noun (like "legacy", a thing).
- Remember the -SY ending is the verb (an action, like "to say").
- This follows the same noun/verb spelling pattern as advice/advise and practice/practise.
- Double-check the past tense: it's spelled "prophesied", not "prophecied".
For more on related grammar, see word formation. Also confusing: Advice vs Advise, Advise vs Advice, Allusion vs Illusion. Browse all confusing word pairs →
Quick Check: Prophecy or Prophesy?
4 fill-in-the-blank questions — choose the correct word for each sentence.
1. “The old ___ said a hero would return.” (noun)
2. “The wizard ___ that the kingdom would fall.” (verb, past tense)
3. “Many scholars study this ancient religious ___.”
4. “She ___ that prices would rise sharply next year.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between prophecy and prophesy?
Prophecy (ending -cy) is a noun meaning a prediction, especially one believed to be divinely inspired: "the ancient prophecy." Prophesy (ending -sy) is a verb meaning to predict or foretell: "the oracle prophesied doom." The spelling change signals the change in word class.
What other word pairs follow the same -cy/-sy noun/verb pattern?
The closest well-known pair with this exact -cy/-sy pattern is unique to prophecy/prophesy. However, English has similar noun/verb spelling-shift pairs like advice/advise and practice/practise (BrE), which follow a comparable logic: -ce for the noun, -se for the verb.
How do you pronounce prophecy versus prophesy?
Prophecy (noun) is pronounced "PROF-uh-see", with the last syllable rhyming with "see". Prophesy (verb) is pronounced "PROF-uh-sigh", with the last syllable rhyming with "sigh". This pronunciation difference can help you remember the spelling.
What is the past tense of prophesy?
The past tense is "prophesied" (not "prophecied"): "The seer prophesied a long war." Always keep the -sy verb spelling before adding -ed, changing the y to i.
Is there a plural form of prophecy?
Yes, "prophecies": "Many ancient prophecies remain unfulfilled." As with other nouns ending in a consonant + y, the y changes to ies in the plural.
What is a 'self-fulfilling prophecy'?
A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that causes itself to become true, because people's belief in it changes their behaviour in a way that brings it about: "His fear of failure became a self-fulfilling prophecy." This always uses the noun spelling, prophecy.
Who is a 'prophet', and how does it relate to these two words?
A prophet is a person who prophesies (verb) — someone believed to receive and communicate prophecies (noun), often through divine inspiration, as in many religious traditions.
Can prophesy be used in non-religious contexts?
Yes — prophesy is commonly used more loosely to mean any confident prediction, even outside religion: "Analysts prophesy a downturn in the tech sector." It retains a slightly dramatic or authoritative tone compared to plain "predict".
Why do people so often misspell these two words?
Because they are pronounced with only a subtle vowel difference in the final syllable and are used in overlapping contexts (predictions), it is easy to default to one spelling regardless of whether a noun or verb is needed.
How can I remember prophecy vs prophesy?
Link the noun prophe-CY to other nouns ending in -cy, like "legacy" and "policy" — things. Link the verb prophe-SY to the action verb "say" — since prophesying means saying a prediction aloud. Noun = -cy; verb = -sy.