omen

noun

ˈō-mən 

: an occurrence or phenomenon (see phenomenon sense 1) believed to portend a future event : augury

The dark clouds were considered a bad omen.

Synonyms of omen

• portent
• forerunner
• augury
• prediction
• foreshadowing
• precursor
• presage
• hint
• suggestion
• foreboding
• herald

Examples of omen in a Sentence

They regarded the win as a good omen for the team.

omens of things to come

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, industrial and real estate investment plunged in the first half of the year, a bad omen for the world’s second-biggest economy. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 15 July 2026

Diarists and observers, including hymn writer John Newton and militia officers, often treated the event as an omen reflecting the gravity of the Revolution. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 4 July 2026

This pick is also not a great omen for 2024 lottery pick Nikola Topić. — John Hollinger, New York Times, 24 June 2026

There was a book in Sapphire’s den that ran a different set of numbers, the math of omens and outcomes. — Literary Hub, 22 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin omin-, omen

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for omen

• bowmen
• coman
• foeman
• foemen
• gnomon
• nomen
• roman
• showman
• showmen
• soman
• toman
• yeoman

Kids Definition

omen

noun

ˈō-mən 

: a happening believed to be a sign or warning of some future event