Word
omen
US/ˈoʊmən/
UK/ˈəʊmɛn/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a sign or event that people believe shows what will happen in the future. It can be a good sign or a bad sign.
n. an event or phenomenon regarded as a portent of good or evil. Often modified by adjectives such as 'good', 'bad', 'ill', or 'dark' to specify the nature of the prediction.
Examples
“The dark clouds were a bad omen for the picnic.”
“Ancient sailors often viewed the appearance of certain birds as a favorable omen for a safe journey.”
“While some dismissed the sudden market dip as a statistical anomaly, others interpreted it as a dark omen of the impending financial crisis that would soon grip the nation.”
Examples
simple
“The dark clouds were a bad omen for the picnic.”
contextual
“Ancient sailors often viewed the appearance of certain birds as a favorable omen for a safe journey.”
complex
“While some dismissed the sudden market dip as a statistical anomaly, others interpreted it as a dark omen of the impending financial crisis that would soon grip the nation.”
Usage
Commonly paired with 'of' to describe what the sign predicts (e.g., 'an omen of war').
Real-World Examples
“Given the success Fulham and Bournemouth have enjoyed in recent years, Coventry will hope that proves a good omen.” “Crucially, he leaves open the possibility that the gods communicate through omens, concluding only that the evidence falls short of the standard he would demand anywhere else.” Etymology
From Latin ōmen (“foreboding, omen”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Idioms
01. bird of ill omen
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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