presage

1 of 2

noun

pres·​age ˈpre-sij How to pronounce presage (audio)
also
pri-ˈsāj How to pronounce presage (audio)
1
: something that foreshadows or portends a future event : omen
2
: an intuition or feeling of what is going to happen in the future
3
archaic : prognostication
4
: warning or indication of the future
presageful adjective

presage

2 of 2

verb

pre·​sage ˈpre-sij How to pronounce presage (audio) pri-ˈsāj How to pronounce presage (audio)
presaged; presaging

transitive verb

1
: to give an omen or warning of : foreshadow
2

intransitive verb

: to make or utter a prediction
presager noun obsolete

Did you know?

The verb presage was predated by a noun presage, meaning "omen." Both forms derive from the Latin prefix prae- combined with the adjective sagus, meaning "prophetic." Foretell, predict, forecast, prophesy, and presage all mean "to tell beforehand." Foretell applies to telling of a future event by any procedure or any source of information ("seers foretold the calamity"). Predict commonly implies inference from facts or accepted laws of nature ("astronomers predicted an eclipse"). Forecast implies anticipating eventualities and is usually concerned with probabilities ("the meteorologist forecasts snow"). Prophesy connotes inspired or mystic knowledge of the future ("the soothsayer prophesied a new messiah"). Presage may apply to suggesting a coming event or indicating its likelihood.

Examples of presage in a Sentence

Noun I had a nagging presage that the results of my medical tests would not be good. the sight of the first robin is always a welcome presage of spring Verb Many investors are worried that the current slowdown could presage another recession. events that presaged the civil rights movement
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The New Moon in Virgo, which occurs shortly after Mercury turns direct, presages really big beginnings throughout the zodiac. Jennifer Culp, Them, 16 Aug. 2024 As the ending of the story perhaps presages, Martha is on the cusp of a change in her life. Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 28 July 2024
Verb
These 19th-century hacks presage a 21st-century example: In response to insurance companies that offer discounts for those who use fitness trackers, the satirical project Unfit Bits suggests ways to trick your step tracker, such as by attaching the device to a metronome. Jacqueline D. Wernimont, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024 That commitment to a boring final act presaged a wave of mediocre—alright, abysmal—Marvel shows on Disney+, like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Moon Knight and Secret Invasion. Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for presage 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin praesagium, from praesagus having a foreboding, from prae- + sagus prophetic — more at seek

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1562, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of presage was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near presage

Cite this Entry

“Presage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presage. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

presage

1 of 2 noun
pres·​age ˈpres-ij How to pronounce presage (audio)
1
: omen
2
: a warning or suggestion of future events

presage

2 of 2 verb
pre·​sage ˈpres-ij How to pronounce presage (audio) pri-ˈsāj How to pronounce presage (audio)
presaged; presaging
1
: to give a sign or warning of : portend
2

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