omen

Everyday

A sign or event that some people believe shows that something good or bad will happen in the future. tree →

In the lessons

Used in stories, myths and history (a comet seen as an omen before a battle; black cats and broken mirrors in superstitions). Science and most people today see omens as superstition, but they are common in stories to build suspense. Phrases: "a good omen", "a bad omen", "an omen of".

Examples

• The sailors thought the storm was a bad omen. tree →
• Seeing a rainbow on the first day felt like a good omen. tree →
• In the story, a raven was an omen of trouble. tree →
• Some people think a black cat is an omen of bad luck. tree →
• Halley's Comet was seen as an omen before the Battle of Hastings in 1066. tree →
• Winning the first match was a good omen for the season. tree →
• Rudy took the rose as a good omen, and thought of Babette. tree →

Note

"An omen" (an, before a vowel sound). Adjective "ominous" (threatening, as if something bad will happen). Omens are superstition, not science.