Prescient — Meaning, Definition, & Examples | SAT Vocabulary
Prescient is our word today; I'd consider it one of the harder ones, maybe even harder know how to pronounce. Open and learn!
📣 TL;DR: Prescient means having or showing knowledge of events before they happen, like you can see into the future. Mnemonic to help remember: First, you need to know that SCIENCE basically means KNOWLEDGE. So PRE (before) + SCIENT (knowing) = knowing ahead of time = PRESCIENT.
ℹ️ Part of Speech of Prescient
prescient is an ADJECTIVE.
🗣️ Pronunciation of Prescient
IPA: /ˈprɛʃ.ənt/ (See IPA key)
Respelling: PRESH-uhnt
📚️ Definition of Prescient
Having or showing knowledge of events before they take place; possessing foresight or foreknowledge. Example: a prescient discussion about downturns in the economy.
📰 Examples of Prescient
Here are some examples of the word prescient:
Katanaya’s prescient decision to dress in layers turned out to be a good one when the temperature dropped suddenly.
George Orwell’s novel 1984 has proved prescient both about propaganda and surveillance technology.
My grandmother had this prescient way about her, always texting right after something was going wrong.
✍️ Quiz Yourself
Which of the following would most accurately be described as prescient?
A) A student who memorizes all dates in their history textbook
B) An investor who bought Zoom stock in its IPO in 2019 predicting that remote work would catch on
C) A teacher who solves an equation without a calculator
D) A backpacker who checks satellite imagery before making plans
Enter your answer below, and check back in the comments for the answer and other relevant information.
Thanks for studying and learning and improving yourself with me today!
The best answer is B; this was the winner by votes, too, but A was a close second. Why A doesn't work--memorizing is about remembering the past, not having glimpses into the future.