foreshadowing

American  

[fawr-shad-oh-ing] / ˌfɔrˈʃæd oʊ ɪŋ /

noun

1. an indication of something that will happen in the future, often used as a literary device to hint at or allude to future plot developments.

   The gothic novel uses foreshadowing to build suspense.

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Etymology

Origin of foreshadowing

First recorded in 1845–50; foreshadow ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

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

Immediately after Goldman and Apple launched the card, rival issuers looked with raised eyebrows at some of the terms, foreshadowing issues that would come up in the deal talks in recent years.

From The Wall Street Journal

The bloody stain of the cicada on the artwork proves to be excellent foreshadowing of where the film is headed.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

But markets have a way of foreshadowing future shifts.

From Barron's

Related Words

• clue
• flag
• gesture
• harbinger
• hint
• light
• manifestation
• note
• prediction
• proof
• signal
• suggestion
• symbol
• symptom
• trace
• warning
• wave