crystal ball

noun

1
: a sphere especially of quartz crystal traditionally used by fortune tellers
2
: a means or method of predicting future events

Examples of crystal ball in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There is just one negative Salge sees in his crystal ball, and that is the ongoing beech leaf disease that's been rapidly spreading through our forests. — Eric Fisher, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 That is the finding of a new index from the National Association of Realtors, which aims to be a crystal ball for commercial real estate investors. — Diana Olick, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 On today’s show, how banks decide to close accounts, how much politics plays a role and what the bank might have seen in its crime-stopping crystal ball. — Adrian Ma, NPR, 18 Aug. 2026 So, with the Season 2 writers’ room underway, what will Gilligan’s weirdly-accurate crystal ball come up with next? — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crystal ball

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of crystal ball was in 1834

Rhymes for crystal ball

See All Rhymes for crystal ball

Browse Nearby Words

Crystal
crystal ball
crystal clear
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crystal ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crystal%20ball. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

crystal ball

noun
: a clear ball especially of quartz crystal used by a fortune-teller to predict the future
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