What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
clairvoyant
Example
She visited a clairvoyant to get some guidance about her future. [clairvoyant: noun]
Example
The clairvoyant predicted that there would be a major earthquake in the region. [clairvoyant: adjective]
prescient
Example
Her prescient dreams often came true, which amazed her friends. [prescient: adjective]
Example
The author's prescient insights into technology trends made his book a bestseller. [prescient: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prescient is more commonly used than clairvoyant in everyday language. While clairvoyant has a more mystical connotation and is associated with psychic abilities, prescient is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts to describe someone with a deep understanding or intuition about future events.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between clairvoyant and prescient?
While clairvoyant is often associated with a more mystical or supernatural context, prescient can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Therefore, prescient is considered more formal than clairvoyant.