presage

1 of 2

noun

pres·​age ˈpre-sij 

also

pri-ˈsāj 

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

pri-ˈsāj-fəl 

adjective

presage

2 of 2

verb

pre·​sage ˈpre-sij  pri-ˈsāj 

presaged; presaging

transitive verb

1

: to give an omen or warning of : foreshadow

2

: foretell, predict

intransitive verb

: to make or utter a prediction

presager noun obsolete

Did you know?

Although sages, being known for their great wisdom, are sometimes believed to possess the ability to predict the future, there is no connection between the noun sage and the verb presage, which means—as you’ve likely foreseen—“to foretell or predict.” While sage comes from the Latin verb sapere (“to be wise”), presage comes instead from a different Latin source: the adjective praesagus, a combination of the prefix prae and sagus, meaning “prophetic.” Presage entered English first as a noun referring to an omen, that is, something that foreshadows or portends a future event. A couple of centuries later it was joined by the verb, which is used for the action of foreshadowing, as in “the current economic slowdown could presage another recession,” and may apply to suggesting a coming event or indicating its likelihood.

Synonyms

Noun

• foreboding
• premonition
• presentiment
• prognostication

Verb

• augur
• call
• forecast
• foretell
• predict
• prognosticate
• prophesy
• read
• vaticinate

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

Noun

The key question investors and the Fed are trying to answer is whether this slight slackening presages a far worse outlook, even a recession, or whether reports of rising uncertainty merely reflect people’s feelings, not economic reality. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 June 2025

The result is chaos, bewilderment and delay that presages rising consumer prices. —Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

Verb

Yet the Foundling’s system was entirely presaged on the idea that some people’s origins need to be concealed. —Time, 28 May 2025

Those wins usually presage a best picture victory, especially because the producers guild uses a preferential ballot similar to the Academy’s. —The Learning Network, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for presage

• message
• expressage

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Kids Definition

presage

1 of 2 noun

pres·​age ˈpres-ij 

1

: omen

2

: a warning or suggestion of future events

presage

2 of 2 verb

pre·​sage ˈpres-ij  pri-ˈsāj 

presaged; presaging

1

: to give a sign or warning of : portend

2

: foretell, predict