French word

préfigurer

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁefigyʁe/

Meaning

  • verbforeshadow

Example

Ce signe préfigure un changement important.

This sign foreshadows an important change.

Illustration for préfigurer (foreshadow)

More examples

Cette annonce préfigure la réaction du public.

This announcement foreshadows the public's reaction.

Core concept

An early visible sign that sketches the shape of a later event.

Common phrases

  • préfigurer la réaction du public

    foreshadow the public's reaction

  • préfigurer le résultat

    foreshadow the result

Similar words

suggérer: To imply indirectly that something is likely.
évoquer: To bring something to mind.
annoncer: To announce what is going to happen.
prévoir: To predict a future event.

Definition in French

Donner à l'avance une indication, par un signe observable, sur ce qui va se produire.

Word origin

Préfigurer combines the prefix pré- 'before' with figurer, from Latin figurare 'to shape or represent'.

Usage tips

  • Préfigurer takes a direct object, as in préfigurer un changement, rather than a preposition before the thing indicated.

Other meanings

  • heraldverb
  • prefigureverb

Opposites

  • infirmerinvalidateverb
  • nierdenyverb

Word lists with this word