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 Words From

• un·omened 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.

Example Sentences

The liquid, it is believed, takes away with it all bad omens and welcomes the next 365 days “clean” of all evil.

From Washington Blade

There was even a rainbow-y halo around that big moon, another lucky omen if you’re hungry for such things.

From Time

Those 43 goals account for just 57 percent of Boston’s total goals scored, a bad omen considering that just one of the past 13 Stanley Cup champions45 scored under 60 percent of their regular-season goals while playing 5-on-5.

From FiveThirtyEight

That seems like a bad omen for Newsom — until you consider the special circumstances of this recall effort and the political evolution of California.

From FiveThirtyEight

When a lifetime nomination for the Supreme Court becomes the source of spreading a deadly virus, it should be taken as an omen.

From Washington Blade

Ancient Romans exchanged gifts of figs and honey and would make sure to work part of the day as a good omen for the coming year.

From The Daily Beast

At times, it seemed Leonard was awaiting a portent or an omen.

From The Daily Beast

The Japan Times on March 6, 2010, reported that in folklore the fish comes to the beach as an omen of an earthquake.

From The Daily Beast

The color has also been used to forebode an omen or a threat.

From The Daily Beast

Some view is as an omen of dread, of blood, of war, or of victory.

From The Daily Beast

Here I am engaged, miss, or as good, to Mr. Capt; and I know what this omen means.

From Project Gutenberg

Sloth in women is cured either by vanity or love; though, in vivacious women, it is an omen of love.

From Project Gutenberg

Pelican, bird of ill omen, go to thy hole and hide thy sorry face.'

From Project Gutenberg

Yes, for you have interpreted the omen with which you were favoured, in a very different way from what you should have done.

From Project Gutenberg

For the sake of the omen she put on before going to sleep the tunica rcta, or rgilla, woven in one piece and falling to the feet.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• harbinger
• indication
• portent
• premonition