# omen

/ˈoʊmən/ (US) · /ˈəʊmɛn/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/omen
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a sign or event that people believe shows what will happen in the future. It can be a good sign or a bad sign.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Commonly paired with 'of' to describe what the sign predicts (e.g., 'an omen of war').

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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.