# harbinger

/ˈhɑɹbɪndʒɝ/ (US) · /hˈɑːbɪndʒɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/harbinger
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a sign of things to come

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a person or thing that shows something else is going to happen soon.

For teachers: a person or thing that foreshadows or foretells the coming of someone or something; a precursor.

- The first few yellow leaves are a harbinger of autumn.
- The sudden drop in consumer spending was seen by economists as a grim harbinger of the coming recession.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'of'.

### 2. to signal the arrival

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

to be a sign that something is about to start or arrive.

For teachers: to announce the approach of; to act as a precursor to an event or state.

- The loud bells harbinger the start of the festival every year.
- These technological breakthroughs may harbinger a new era of space exploration that was previously thought impossible.

Usage: This verb is transitive and takes a direct object.

## Examples

- The early frost was a harbinger of a harsh winter.
- The sudden increase in interest rates was seen as a harbinger of a coming economic recession.
- In many ancient myths, the appearance of a specific animal or celestial event serves as a harbinger of the hero's final trial or the kingdom's impending doom.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.