Precognition is knowledgeinformation or understanding gained through learning, experience, or observation of something before it happens. In everyday English, it usually refers to supposed or unusual awarenessthe state of noticing or being conscious of something of a futurethe time that will come after the present event.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-09. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌpriː.kɑːɡˈnɪʃ.ən/
Easy pronunciation: pree-kog-NISH-ən (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the third syllable, NISH.
Noun meaning knowledge of an event before it occurs.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-09. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Precognition Meaning
knowing about something before it happens
Part of speech: noun
Definition: knowledge of an event before it occurs
Example: She claimed to have a precognition of the accident before it happened.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- foreknowledge — Direct synonym for knowing something before it happens.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-09. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Precognition Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- foreknowledge
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-09. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing precognition with prediction or planning; precognition means knowing beforehand, not just making an educated guess.
- Using it for general foresight in ordinary situations; the word is usually about knowledge of a future event, often in a supernatural or unusual sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-09. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does precognition mean?
Precognition means knowledge of an event before it happens.
What is a simple synonym for precognition?
Foreknowledge is the closest simple synonym.
Is precognition the same as prediction?
Not exactly. Prediction is an informed guess, while precognition suggests knowing something before it happens.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-09. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.