Foreshadowing — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /fȯr-ˈsha-də-wiŋ/ fore·shad·ow·ing

Meaning & Definition of Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing (noun)

  1. an indication of what is to come; also, the use of such indications (as in a work of literature)

Foreshadowing (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event

    "the hero's strange encounter with a grave digger is often seen as a foreshadowing of his own death"

    similar: augury, auspice, boding, foreboding, omen, portent, prefiguring, presage, straw in the wind
    related: forerunner, harbinger, herald, precursor, foretaste, hint, inkling, intimation, suggestion, forewarning, forecast, foretelling, prediction, prognostication, prophecy, badge, mark, note, token, divination

Foreshadowing (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to give a slight indication of beforehand

    "a series of small tremors that foreshadowed the massive earthquake the next day"

    similar: adumbrating, forerunning, harbingering, heralding, prefiguring
    related: anticipating, foreknowing, foreseeing, forecasting, foretelling, predicting, prognosticating, prophesying, forewarning, auguring, boding, foreboding, portending, presaging, promising, alluding, connoting, hinting, implying, insinuating, intimating, suggesting

Related Entry: Foreshadow (verb)

Foreshadow is a different word from Foreshadowing. The synonyms below are for foreshadow, not for foreshadowing.

  1. to give a slight indication of beforehand

    "a series of small tremors that foreshadowed the massive earthquake the next day"

    similar: adumbrate, forerun, harbinger, herald, prefigure
    related: anticipate, foreknow, foresee, forecast, foretell, predict, prognosticate, prophesy, forewarn, augur, bode, forebode, portend, presage, promise, allude, connote, hint, imply, insinuate, intimate, suggest

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Foreshadowing

The most common words with a similar meaning to Foreshadowing:

augury, auspice, boding, foreboding, omen, portent, prefiguring, presage, straw in the wind, adumbrating, forerunning, harbingering, heralding

Related Words for Foreshadowing

forerunner, harbinger, herald, precursor, foretaste, hint, inkling, intimation, suggestion, forewarning, forecast, foretelling, prediction, prognostication, prophecy, badge, mark, note, token, divination, anticipating, foreknowing, foreseeing, forecasting, predicting, prognosticating, prophesying, auguring, portending, presaging

Word Forms of Foreshadowing

Inflections: foreshadowings

Origin & Etymology of Foreshadowing

First known use: 1587

Frequently Asked Questions about Foreshadowing

What does "Foreshadowing" mean?

"Foreshadowing" means an indication of what is to come; also, the use of such indications (as in a work of literature). As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: an indication of what is to come; also, the use of such indications (as in a work of literature). It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Foreshadowing"?

Other words for "Foreshadowing" include augury, auspice, boding, foreboding, omen, portent, prefiguring and presage. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Foreshadowing" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Foreshadowing"?

There are 51 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Foreshadowing". Common alternatives include augury, auspice, boding, foreboding, omen, portent, prefiguring, presage, straw in the wind and adumbrating.

How do you use "Foreshadowing" in a sentence?

Examples of "Foreshadowing" in a sentence: "the hero's strange encounter with a grave digger is often seen as a foreshadowing of his own death"; "a series of small tremors that foreshadowed the massive earthquake the next day".

Is "Foreshadowing" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Foreshadowing" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Foreshadowing"?

"Foreshadowing" is pronounced /fȯr-ˈsha-də-wiŋ/ and divided into syllables as fore·shad·ow·ing.

What is the origin of the word "Foreshadowing"?

First known use: 1587.

What is another word for "Foreshadowing" meaning "something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event"?

When "Foreshadowing" (noun) means something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event, synonyms include augury, auspice, boding, foreboding, omen and portent.