omen

USAGE SUMMARY

‘omen’ is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is most commonly used to refer to a sign of a future event, especially a bad one. For example: The dark clouds hovering overhead served as a foreboding omen of an approaching storm.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In any case, it is a bad omen that the group of politicians working on proposals for European democracy does not even include the president of the European parliament – the only European institution which, as of now, citizens do elect directly.

The Guardian - Opinion

But if he doesn't, it will come to seem like an omen on a night when the public reminded the politicians that, however watchful and untrusting voters might be, they are also intensely, even ruthlessly engaged.

The Guardian

(Hopefully that's no omen for young Prince George's forthcoming visit: tens of thousands of expected spectators failed to turn up in the heat and dust, and the caterers had to bury truckloads of meat pies; a military flyover drowned out an unimpressed Dame Nellie Melba and one aircraft crashed before parliament, killing the pilot).

The Guardian

If street names are an omen, you should be braced for trouble where Gun Street meets Artillery Lane.

The Guardian - Arts

So that's a good omen.

The Guardian

As Ms Harman is notoriously short of bright new ideas, this looks like a bad omen for anything interesting that Mr Field may propose.

The Economist

But it makes perfect sense if you see gold as an alternative currency to the dollar, rising when the greenback declines and vice versa.Gold's fall could be an omen in another way, too.

The Economist

WAS it a bad omen?

The Economist

As a child she had never wanted friends to see her poor house, with mildew on the laundry piled in the bath; and even as a star of stage and screen, consorting with Hitchcock (for "Frenzy"), Albert Finney (for "Charlie Bubbles and Gregory Peckck (for "The Omen"), living in a big house in Camden Square, she disliked asking people in.

The Economist

Some, especially in the north, whose people generally reckon on one of their own having an eight-year stay as president, dispute his right to stand and have promised him a tough fight.In this section Sanctions begin to bite Walking several paces behind A bloody election omen A rum old mix ReprintsCampaigning may now focus on proposals for new anti-terror laws.

The Economist

The popularity of the video, to which there was not even a link on the party's official website, was an ill omen for senior Tories.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotation of "omen" – it often implies a sense of foreboding or significance beyond the immediate event.

Common error

Be aware that interpretations of "omens" can vary significantly across cultures; what is considered a good "omen" in one culture may be a bad "omen" in another. Ensure your usage aligns with the intended audience's understanding.

Linguistic Context

The word "omen" functions primarily as a noun, referring to something that is believed to be a sign of a future event. According to Ludwig AI, the word is correct and usable in written English. The examples provided by Ludwig also shows the use of the word in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "omen" is widely used, primarily in news and media contexts, to describe a sign believed to predict a future event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While often associated with negative connotations, "omens" can also signify positive outcomes. Understanding the cultural context is crucial, as interpretations vary across different societies. Alternatives like "portent", "presage", and "harbinger" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. Using "omen" effectively involves recognizing its symbolic weight and predictive implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Portent

This alternative is a more formal synonym for "omen", suggesting a significant future event.

Presage

This alternative highlights the predictive quality of an event or sign.

Sign of things to come

This alternative is a broader expression implying future implications, not necessarily negative.

Foreshadowing

This alternative emphasizes the subtle hinting or suggestion of future events.

Harbinger

This alternative refers to something that precedes and signals the approach of something else.

Foreboding

This alternative focuses specifically on a sense of impending doom or misfortune.

Warning sign

This alternative emphasizes the cautionary nature of the sign.

Indication

This alternative is a more general term for a sign or hint of something.

Prophecy

This alternative suggests a more definitive and often divinely inspired prediction.

Precursor

This alternative highlights the aspect of something coming before and paving the way for what follows.

FAQs

How can I use "omen" in a sentence?

You can use "omen" to describe a sign that is believed to predict a future event. For example, "The black cat crossing her path was seen as a bad "omen"."

What are some alternatives to the word "omen"?

Alternatives to "omen" include "portent", "presage", "harbinger", and "foreboding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "omen" always negative?

While "omen" often carries a negative connotation suggesting impending misfortune, it can also refer to positive signs. The specific meaning depends on the context.

What's the difference between "omen" and "sign"?

"Sign" is a broader term referring to any indication of something. "Omen" specifically implies a sign believed to predict a future event, often with supernatural or fateful implications. Therefore, an "omen" is a type of "sign", but not all "signs" are necessarily "omens".