Something that is a harbingerof something else, especially something bad, is a sign that it is going to happen.
[literary]
The November air stung my cheeks, a harbinger of winter. [+ of]
Synonyms: sign, indication, herald [literary], messenger More Synonyms of harbinger
harbinger in British English
(ˈhɑːbɪndʒə)
noun
1.
a person or thing that announces or indicates the approach of something; forerunner
2. obsolete
a person sent in advance of a royal party or army to obtain lodgings for them
verb
3. (transitive)
to announce the approach or arrival of
Word origin
C12: from Old French herbergere, from herberge lodging, from Old Saxon heriberga; compare Old High German heriberga army shelter; see harry, borough
harbinger in American English
(ˈhɑrbɪndʒər)
noun
1. Obsolete
an advance representative of an army or royal party, who arranged for lodging, entertainment, etc.
2.
a person or thing that comes before to announce or give an indication of what follows; herald
verb transitive
3.
to serve as harbinger of
Word origin
ME herbergeour (with intrusive -n-) < OFr herbergeor, provider of lodging < herberge, a shelter < Frank (or OHG) heriberga, shelter for soldiers < heri, army (see harry) + berga, a shelter < bergan, to protect: see bury
Examples of 'harbinger' in a sentence
harbinger
Others have similarly seen the eclipse as a harbinger of doom.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
August has a track record as a harbinger of doom.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Was that a harbinger of things to come?
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
Only a few understood that they were a harbinger of things to come.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It looked more like a relic than a harbinger of things to come.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It has a short season and is a pleasant enough harbinger of summer.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He scored the winner on his debut, a harbinger of things to come.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Whether or not the rebels defeat the nascent administration, it is a harbinger of things to come.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
I just hope January is not a harbinger of doom for the rest of the year.
The Sun (2010)
The film-maker himself was quick to declare it a harbinger the future of ballet in China.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This proved a harbinger for the summer, the wettest in 100 years.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Just how merry is the call of a staring owl in the night anyway, especially as it is often regarded as a harbinger of death?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In the very political wind is an inclination to see this Prime Minister as a harbinger of doom.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
As the office wife, I was often the harbinger of bad news.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He worries whether the investment tax might be a harbinger of things to come: 'It could be a glimpse of what the next government might be like.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
(noun)
Definition
a person or thing that announces or indicates the approach of something
(literary)
a harbinger of winter
Synonyms
sign
It is a sign of things to come.
indication
He gave no indication that he was ready to compromise.
herald (literary)
I welcome the report as the herald of more freedom, not less.
messenger
The document is to be sent by messenger.
omen
Her appearance at this moment is an omen of disaster.
precursor
The deal should not be seen as a precursor to a merger.
forerunner
Some respiratory symptoms can be the forerunners of asthma.
portent
This is a frightening portent for the future.
foretoken
Additional synonyms
in the sense of forerunner
Definition
a person or thing that is a sign of what will happen in the future
Some respiratory symptoms can be the forerunners of asthma.
Synonyms
omen,
sign,
indication,
token,
premonition,
portent,
augury,
prognostic,
foretoken,
harbinger (literary)
in the sense of herald
Definition
a forerunner
I welcome the report as the herald of more freedom, not less.
Synonyms
forerunner,
sign,
signal,
indication,
token,
omen,
precursor,
harbinger (literary)
in the sense of indication
He gave no indication that he was ready to compromise.