omen

[oh-muhn]

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.

verb (used with object)

1. to be an omen of; portend.

2. to divine, as if from omens.

omen

/ ˈəʊmən /

noun

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

2. prophetic significance

verb

1. (tr) to portend

Other Word Forms

• unomened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of omen¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of omen¹

C16: from Latin

Synonym Study

See sign.

Related Words

• harbinger 
• indication 
• portent 
• premonition