What does omen mean?
An omen is a sign or indication of something that is about to happen, particularly an event expected to be bad, dangerous, or unwelcome. The word can describe observable developments, such as falling barometric pressure or troubling economic figures, as well as traditional symbolic signs like dreams, birds, or unusual animal behavior. In ordinary use, “omen” often has a ominous or superstitious tone, suggesting that the future is not entirely favorable. It can nevertheless be neutral in more analytical contexts, as when economists describe a statistic as an omen of recovery. Related expressions include “a bad omen,” “a good omen,” and “an ominous omen.” The term is also used figuratively in journalism and formal writing to describe warnings or indications of future developments. Its distinctive implication is that the present sign carries significance for what lies ahead, rather than merely recording what has already occurred.
nounA sign or indication that something is about to happen, especially an event considered likely to be bad or unwelcome. An omen may be natural, such as a storm, or symbolic, such as a particular dream or the behavior of an animal.
- A sign or indication that a particular future event will occur, especially a bad or unwelcome one.
- A symbolic object, event, or observation interpreted as predicting what is to come.
"The sudden silence of the birds was an ominous sign, and everyone in the village took it as an omen of misfortune."
"The broken mirror was considered a bad omen by superstitious guests."
"Economists watched the manufacturing figures as a possible omen of recovery."
The plural is used when referring to multiple signs or indications of future events.
"The gathered clouds and distant thunder were omens of a storm."
An omen is a sign pointing toward the future—and in everyday English, it usually points toward trouble.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does omen come from?
The English word “omen” comes from the Latin noun ōmen, meaning a sign or token, especially a sign of what is to happen. It entered English during the early 16th century. Latin forms such as ōminōsus, the source of “ominous,” and abomināri, associated with regarding something as an ill-omen, show the word’s long connection with interpretation of signs and foreboding.
How omen is actually used
The word is relatively literary and often conveys superstition or a sense of foreboding, although it can also refer neutrally to a sign of future events. The phrase 'a good omen' is common when an event is viewed as favorable.
Easily confused with omen
An omen is a sign believed to indicate a future event, while a portent is a more formal term often suggesting that the event will be significant or disastrous.