2 syllables: fore, see. Stress on see.
/fɔɹˈsiː/
Say it backForesee means to anticipate or predict something before it happens, based on knowledge, evidence, or insight. It involves mentally projecting future events and often planning or preparing in response. The term emphasizes foresight and prudent expectation rather than mere guesswork.
"She could foresee the storm's arrival and moved the party indoors."
"Experts foresee gradual economic recovery by next quarter."
"From the clues, you can foresee potential complications in the project."
Foresee is pronounced with two syllables: /fɔːrˈsiː/ in US and UK English, and /fɔːˈsiː/ in Australian English. The primary stress falls on the second syllable ‘see’ /siː/. The first syllable uses the “fore” rhotic vowel in many dialects, sounding like /fɔːr/. Mouth position: start with a rounded open back vowel, then move quickly to a long close front vowel /iː/. Ensure the /r/ is pronounced in rhotic accents. Audio references like Pronounce or Forvo can help hear the glide from /fɔːr/ to /siː/ precisely.
Common mistakes: (1) Overly separating the syllables, making it ‘for-see’ with a weak second vowel; maintain the tight glide into /siː/. (2) Reducing the first syllable to a short /ɒ/ or /ɔ/ when your dialect uses a longer back vowel; keep /ɔː/ or /ɔːr/ depending on rhoticity. (3) Misplacing the stress, either stressing the first syllable as ‘FORE-see’ or failing to articulate the /r/ in rhotic accents. Correction: practice the two-syllable rhythm with a clear hold on /ˈsiː/ by tapping the second syllable, and ensure /r/ is pronounced in rhotic varieties.
US/UK/AU differ mainly in rhoticity and vowel quality. US and rhotic UK speakers often keep /r/ in the first syllable and the /ɔː/ or /ɔr/ sequence; vowels in stressed syllables tend to be rounded and longer in US. UK non-rhotic accents may drop the /r/ in the first syllable, producing /fɔːˈsiː/ or /fɔːsˈiː/. Australian English typically keeps /r/ non-phonemic in many contexts but may show a more centralized /ɔː/ and clear /siː/. Overall: stress remains on the second syllable; /siː/ is long in all, with small vowel shifts depending on region.
Its challenges lie in the two-syllable structure with a long vowel in the second syllable and a potential tricky /r/ in the first syllable for rhotic speakers. The transition from /fɔːr/ to /siː/ requires precise timing to avoid vowel tearing or a clipped /siɪ/. Also, the word’s spelling can tempt mispronunciations like ‘for-see’ with a short /ɪ/ sound. Focus on sustaining the /ɔː/ or /ɔr/ before gliding into /siː/ and maintain the long /iː/ in the final syllable.
Foresee often triggers a spatious pairing of /ɔːr/ with /siː/. A useful check: hold the first syllable longer, almost a mini-pause before the /siː/; this helps you avoid blending the words and preserves the two-syllable rhythm. In careful speech, you should clearly articulate the r-colored vowel in US/UK rhotic varieties and ensure the final long /iː/ remains steady and high-fronted.
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- US: Rhotic /r/ pronounced; /ɔːr/ in the first syllable, final /siː/ stays long. - UK: Often non-rhotic; the /r/ may be silent in the first syllable; the vowel can be a tense /ɔː/ before /siː/. - AU: tends toward broad, clear vowel shifts; keep /ɔː/ quality and a clear /iː/ in the second syllable. IPA references and listening practice recommended.
Foresee originates from Middle English foreseien, formed from fore- (before, in front) + seien (to see), ultimately from Old English sēon (to see). The usage evolved in the sense of “to see beforehand” or “to anticipate.” In early texts, foresee appeared in legal and philosophical contexts to denote prophetic or prudent anticipation. Over time, it broadened to everyday language as a mental faculty of predicting outcomes based on evidence and reasoning. The construction fore- + see is a productive prefixation meaning “before” combined with the verb “see,” aligning with similar terms like foreseeable and foresight. The phrase appears in works dating from the 15th century onward, with modern usage stabilizing in the 19th and 20th centuries as a common verb meaning to anticipate future events. First known usage is documented in Middle English sources, with clear evidence of the compound appearing in legal and moral texts prior to broader literary adoption. Today, foresee commonly collocates with verbs of prediction (predict, anticipate), with usage expanding into business, policy, and personal planning contexts, underlining its emphasis on proactive mental forecasting rather than guesswork.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "foresee" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "foresee" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "foresee"
-ree sounds
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