omen

American  

[oh-muhn] / ˈoʊ mən /

noun

1. anything perceived or happening that is believed to portend a good or evil event or circumstance in the future; portent.

   Synonyms:

   foreboding, augury

2. a prognostic.

3. prophetic significance; presage.

   a bird of ill omen.

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verb (used with object)

1. to be an omen of; portend.

2. to divine, as if from omens.

omen British  

/ ˈəʊmən /

noun

1. a phenomenon or occurrence regarded as a sign of future happiness or disaster

2. prophetic significance

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verb

1. (tr) to portend

Related Words

See sign.

Other Word Forms

• unomened adjective

Etymology

Origin of omen

First recorded in 1575–85, omen is from the Latin word ōmen

Example Sentences

And I still think the snake in the henhouse was an evil omen of trouble coming.

From Literature

Unlike some anonymous Polymarket traders, though, the omen named for the doomed German airship couldn’t have known bombs were about to fall on Iran.

From The Wall Street Journal

It isn’t the kind of housing market omen investors in the sector were hoping at the start of the typically busy homebuying season.

From Barron's

The visit, the conservative leader's first to China since taking office last May, will be just after Lunar New Year festivities, his spokesman Sebastian Hille pointed out Friday, calling this "a good omen".

From Barron's

Some of the builder’s trends are a good omen for the housing market’s typically busy spring season—but its well-heeled clientele means it’s more insulated from housing cost headwinds than the broader market.

From Barron's

Related Words

• harbinger
• indication
• portent
• premonition