betoken

American  

[bih-toh-kuhn] / bɪˈtoʊ kən /

verb (used with object)

1. to give evidence of; indicate.

   to betoken one's fidelity with a vow; a kiss that betokens one's affection.

2. to be or give a token or sign of; portend.

   a thunderclap that betokens foul weather; an angry word that betokens hostility.

---

betoken British  

/ bɪˈtəʊkən /

verb

1. to indicate; signify

   black clothes betoken mourning

2. to portend; augur

---

Etymology

Origin of betoken

First recorded in 1125–75, betoken is from the Middle English word bitocnen, bitacnen. See be-, token

Explanation

A dark sky full of clouds might betoken a thunderstorm. In other words, the clouds indicate or point to the fact that a thunderstorm is on its way. You're most likely to come across the word betoken in an English class or a book, since it's primarily a literary word used to express the idea of signifying or symbolizing something. There's often a sense of mystery around the word; for example, a black cat might betoken bad luck, or be an omen of something slightly scary. However, there are plenty of cheerful examples, like when a ring betokens love.

Example Sentences

And though releasing a series in the last week of the year doesn’t exactly betoken confidence, I can predict with some confidence that there might be one.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 26, 2025

Cityscapes materialize on backdrops in ways that betoken both the dreamlike landscapes of Monet as well as the Tinseltown innovation of film colorization.

From Washington Post • Dec. 14, 2017

In electoral politics, likewise: a successful re-election that seemed to betoken a sustained realignment for the Democrats.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 19, 2017

"They don't start anything, and probably didn't determine much — but betoken a widespread disgust in the air."

From US News • Sep. 30, 2016

It is perhaps this knowledge of their actual weakness which subdues them since they cannot afford to openly avow feelings which are inimical to us and which would betoken their own hostility.

From The Siege of Mafeking (1900) by Hamilton, J. Angus