Omen
noun /ˈəʊmɛn/ — A sign that something is coming — the future announcing itself in code.
Definition
An event regarded as a portent of good or evil; a prophetic significance; a sign or warning of a future event.
Beyond the definition
Omens are the human mind's pattern recognition given mythological status — we notice things that feel significant before we know why. A good omen cheers; a bad omen changes the quality of everything that follows it, regardless of what actually happens. The power is in the interpretation.
Origin & history
From Latin omen — a sign, portent (origin uncertain). One of those Latin words so old its root is lost. The sign before the event — the world speaking in code.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She tried not to read omens into ordinary things, and largely succeeded, except on difficult days.
The crow on the windowsill felt like an omen — though she couldn't have said of what.
Every culture has its omens; what varies is the direction of interpretation, not the human need to read signs.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Omen” when the meaning fits your context: An event regarded as a portent of good or evil; a prophetic significance; a sign or warning of a future event.
Synonyms
Antonyms
coincidence, non-event
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Shifting colours on a palette
An artist's palette shows swirling pigments that are blending into new, subtle shades, indicating potential changes.
The transformation and blending of the colours serve as a sign of what the painting might become, analogous to an omen, a portent of future change.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Omen" mean?
Omen is noun meaning: A sign that something is coming — the future announcing itself in code.. An event regarded as a portent of good or evil; a prophetic significance; a sign or warning of a future event.
Where does the word "Omen" come from?
From Latin omen — a sign, portent (origin uncertain). One of those Latin words so old its root is lost. The sign before the event — the world speaking in code.