noun
harbinger
HAH-bihnd-zhuh
Harbinger (noun) means a person or sign that shows something is about to happen, especially something important. Example: “The first robin of spring is often seen as a harbinger of warmer weather.”
noun
1
A person or sign that shows something is about to happen, especially something important.
"The first robin of spring is often seen as a harbinger of warmer weather."
"Rising layoffs were a harbinger of the coming recession."
How to use harbinger
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn early sign or messenger that something (often significant, sometimes bad) is coming.
Common pairings
a harbinger of doom
a harbinger of change
harbinger of spring
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like harbinger.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- harbingers
- Third person singular
- harbingers
- Past tense
- harbingered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The first robin of spring is often seen as a _____ of warmer weather.
Etymology
Originally meant a person sent ahead to arrange lodgings for travellers, from Old French herbergeor, related to "harbor."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for harbinger
See all rhymes for harbinger →Frequently asked questions
What does “harbinger” mean?
The word “harbinger” means a person or sign that shows something is about to happen, especially something important. In plain terms, an early sign or messenger that something (often significant, sometimes bad) is coming.
How do you pronounce “harbinger”?
“Harbinger” is pronounced HAH-bihnd-zhuh (/ˈhɑɹ.bɪn.d͡ʒəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “harbinger” in a sentence?
Here is “harbinger” used in a sentence: “The first robin of spring is often seen as a harbinger of warmer weather.”
What part of speech is “harbinger”?
“Harbinger” is a noun.
Where does the word “harbinger” come from?
The word “harbinger” comes from Old French. Originally meant a person sent ahead to arrange lodgings for travellers, from Old French herbergeor, related to "harbor.".
