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Definition of omen

omen

/ˈoʊ.mən/
o · men
Adverb:ominously
•
Plural:omens
•
Adjective:ominous
•
Past Simple:omened
•
Past Participle:omened
•
Present Participle:omening
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omen Lexical Profile

omen Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An event or phenomenon regarded as a prophetic sign of future good or evil.

Example

"The ancient sailors viewed the sudden appearance of a rainbow as a favorable omen for their voyage."

2

Prophetic significance or destiny.

Example

"The old oak tree was regarded by the villagers as a landmark of ill omen."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for omen

• verb

1

To foreshow or portend by an omen; to augur.

Example

"The sudden drop in market confidence omened a difficult quarter for the financial sector."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for omen

Word Nuance & Usage

While "omen" itself can refer to either a favorable or an unfavorable sign, its derived adjective "ominous" is used almost exclusively for threatening or unfavorable portents.

• Rhymes for omen

• Nearby Words

omdurman
omega
omelet
omen
omeprazole
omerta
omicron

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 16th century directly from Latin 'omen' (archaic 'osmen'), meaning a foreboding or prophetic sign.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Omen. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/omen
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