- present participle of foreshadow.
foreshadowing
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of foreshadowing
First recorded in 1845–50; foreshadow ( def. ) + -ing 1 ( def. )
Explanation
Foreshadowing is an advance sign or warning of what is to come in the future. The author of a mystery novel might use foreshadowing in an early chapter of her book to give readers an inkling of an impending murder. When you want to let people know about an event that is yet to occur, you can use foreshadowing. Foreshadowing is used as a literary device to tease readers about plot turns that will occur later in the story. A fortune teller might use foreshadowing, warning that a short life line is a sign of some impending disaster.
Vocabulary lists containing foreshadowing
Power Prefix: fore-
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Literary Devices & Figures of Speech - Introductory
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The AP English Exam: Rhetorical and Literary Terms 3
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On the last earnings call in January, CEO Phong Le indicated the company would sell Bitcoin “when it is advantageous to do so,” possibly foreshadowing the recent transaction.
From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026
So far, neither side is showing signs of backing down, foreshadowing a fight that could take years.
From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026
I wish I’d noted that line as foreshadowing, but just like any good mystery, the clues are only evident in hindsight.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2026
The second problem, as several early studies showed, was that GLP-1 given in large doses caused patients to vomit, foreshadowing the primary side effect of today’s blockbusters.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025
His way of talking to Mr. Norton had been a foreshadowing of my misfortune—just as I had sensed that it would be.
From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
