English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

noun Uncommon

omen

OH-muhn

Omen (noun) means a sign believed to foretell a future event, whether good or bad. Example: “A black cat crossing his path felt like a bad omen.”

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noun

1

A sign believed to foretell a future event, whether good or bad.

"A black cat crossing his path felt like a bad omen."

"The villagers took the clear sky as a good omen for the harvest."

How to use omen

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA sign that something is going to happen, good or bad.

Common pairings

a bad omen a good omen an ill omen

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Singular: omens
Plural: omens
Past tense: omened

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A black cat crossing his path felt like a bad _____.

Etymology

From Latin omen, meaning "foreboding" or "sign."

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

augury auspice foreshadowing foretoken forewarning harbinger herald hint indication oracle portent prediction

Related words

reading sign wind suggest signal index tip breath

Rhymes for omen

Women abdomen

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Frequently asked questions

What does “omen” mean?

The word “omen” means a sign believed to foretell a future event, whether good or bad. In plain terms, a sign that something is going to happen, good or bad.

How do you pronounce “omen”?

“Omen” is pronounced OH-muhn (/ˈoʊ̯mən/ in IPA).

How do you use “omen” in a sentence?

Here is “omen” used in a sentence: “A black cat crossing his path felt like a bad omen.”

What is another word for “omen”?

Words with a similar meaning to “omen” include augury, auspice, foreshadowing, foretoken, forewarning and harbinger.

What part of speech is “omen”?

“Omen” is a noun.

Where does the word “omen” come from?

The word “omen” comes from Latin. From Latin omen, meaning "foreboding" or "sign.".

Is “omen” a common word?

“Omen” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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reading sign wind suggest signal index tip breath

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial