'nonprophetic' originates from Modern English, formed by the negative prefix 'non-' (from Latin word 'non' meaning 'not') attached to 'prophetic', which ultimately derives from Greek 'prophētēs' via Latin and Old French.

'prophetic' changed from Middle English 'prophetic' (from Old French 'prophetique' and Late Latin 'propheticus') and the modern compound 'nonprophetic' developed in Modern English by adding 'non-' to this adjective.

Initially, components meant 'not' (for 'non-') and 'of or relating to a prophet' (for 'prophetic'); combined, 'nonprophetic' has meant 'not prophetic' since its formation and has retained that basic negative meaning.