Harbinger — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms
Meaning & Definition of Harbinger
Harbinger (noun)
- someone or something that foreshadows a future event, one that gives an anticipatory sign of what is to come
- one that initiates a major change, a person or thing that originates or helps open up a new activity, method, or technology, pioneer
- a person sent ahead to provide lodgings
Harbinger (verb)
- to give a warning or prediction of, to be a harbinger of
Harbinger (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
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one that announces or indicates the later arrival of another
"her father's successful job interview was seen as a harbinger of better times to come"
Harbinger (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
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to give a slight indication of beforehand
"the hope that the housing slump does not harbinger a general economic recession"
Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Harbinger
The most common words with a similar meaning to Harbinger:
Word Forms of Harbinger
Inflections: harbingered, harbingering, harbingers
Origin & Etymology of Harbinger
Middle English herbergere, herberjour, herbeger, harbenyowre "member of a noble or royal retinue who assigns lodgings to guests or rides ahead to prepare an encampment, host, innkeeper," borrowed from Anglo-French herberger, herberjur (continental Old French herbergeor), from herberger "to lodge, shelter, encamp" (continental Old French herbergier, borrowed from Old Low Franconian *haribergōn, going back to Germanic *haribergōjan- "to set up quarters for an army") + -er, -eor -er:2 harbor:2
First known use: 14th century
Frequently Asked Questions about Harbinger
What does "Harbinger" mean?
"Harbinger" means someone or something that foreshadows a future event, one that gives an anticipatory sign of what is to come. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: someone or something that foreshadows a future event, one that gives an anticipatory sign of what is to come. It has 2 distinct senses.
What is another word for "Harbinger"?
Other words for "Harbinger" include angel, foregoer, forerunner, herald, outrider, precursor, adumbrate and forerun. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Harbinger" you intend.
What are different ways to say "Harbinger"?
There are 56 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Harbinger". Common alternatives include angel, foregoer, forerunner, herald, outrider, precursor, adumbrate, forerun, foreshadow and prefigure.
How do you use "Harbinger" in a sentence?
Examples of "Harbinger" in a sentence: "her father's successful job interview was seen as a harbinger of better times to come"; "the hope that the housing slump does not harbinger a general economic recession".
Is "Harbinger" a noun, verb, or adjective?
"Harbinger" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.
How do you pronounce "Harbinger"?
"Harbinger" is pronounced /ˈhär-bən-jər/ and divided into syllables as har·bin·ger.
What is the origin of the word "Harbinger"?
"Harbinger" comes from Middle English herbergere, herberjour, herbeger, harbenyowre "member of a noble or royal retinue who assigns lodgings to guests or rides ahead to prepare an encampment, host, innkeeper," borrowed from Anglo-French herberger, herberjur (continental Old French herbergeor), from herberger "to lodge, shelter, encamp" (continental Old French herbergier, borrowed from Old Low Franconian *haribergōn, going back to Germanic *haribergōjan- "to set up quarters for an army") + -er, -eor -er:2 harbor:2. First known use: 14th century.
What is another word for "Harbinger" meaning "one that announces or indicates the later arrival of another"?
When "Harbinger" (noun) means one that announces or indicates the later arrival of another, synonyms include angel, foregoer, forerunner, herald, outrider and precursor.