: an occurrence or phenomenon (see phenomenon sense 1) believed to portend a future event : augury
The dark clouds were considered a bad omen.

Examples of omen in a Sentence

They regarded the win as a good omen for the team. omens of things to come
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The untimely death of Lincoln's son Willie Lincoln More:Bad omens or just misunderstood? Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024 Looking back at their final conversations in retrospect, Morrison now sees omens. Christian Holub, EW.com, 25 Oct. 2024 The malevolent forces of the world hide there; the ghouls who give us nightmares and ill omens and bad luck. Caitlin Penzeymoog, Vox, 7 Oct. 2024 But most omens were probably linked to eclipse events through a purely theoretical or speculative system. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for omen 

Word History

Etymology

Latin omin-, omen

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of omen was in 1582

Dictionary Entries Near omen

Cite this Entry

“Omen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/omen. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

omen

noun
: a happening believed to be a sign or warning of some future event

More from Merriam-Webster on omen

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