Harbinger

C1 16+

Pronunciation: /ˈhɑːrbɪndʒər/

Definitions of harbinger

noun a forerunner of something

Example Sentences

A1 Seeing dark clouds is a harbinger of rain.

A2 The first snowfall is often seen as a harbinger of winter.

B1 The sudden drop in stock prices could be a harbinger of an economic downturn.

B2 The increase in seismic activity was seen as a harbinger of an impending earthquake.

C1 The rise of populism in politics can be seen as a harbinger of social unrest.

C2 The discovery of a new species could be a harbinger of important breakthroughs in biology.

Examples of harbinger in a Sentence

formal The sudden drop in stock prices is often seen as a harbinger of an economic downturn.

informal The dark clouds gathering in the sky are a harbinger of rain.

slang Seeing a black cat is considered a harbinger of bad luck in some cultures.

figurative The first snowfall of the season is a harbinger of the winter to come.

Grammatical Forms of harbinger

past tense

heralded

plural

harbingers

comparative

more harbinging

superlative

most harbinging

present tense

harbinges

future tense

will harbinge

perfect tense

have harbinged

continuous tense

is harbinging

singular

harbinger

positive degree

harbinger

infinitive

to harbinge

gerund

harbinging

participle

harbinged

Origin and Evolution of harbinger

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Middle English
Story behind the word: The word 'harbinger' originated from Middle English, derived from the Old French word 'herbergeor' meaning 'host' or 'lodgings'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the meaning of 'harbinger' evolved from referring to someone who provided lodging to its current usage as a sign or indicator of something to come.