An Omen Can Point Either Way
An omen is a sign of something to come. Despite modern use, it is not necessarily bad.
An omen is an event regarded as a sign of something to come. It is neutral by definition — you can speak of a good omen as easily as a bad one — but the adjective *ominous* has drifted entirely to the negative, so the family is now split. Romans took omens with great seriousness, employing augurs to read the flight of birds before any major public decision. That practice gives us *auspicious*, from *auspex*, a bird-watcher, and *inaugurate*, to install someone after taking the auguries.
- A sign of the future. *A good omen.*
- A portent. *An omen of trouble.*
- Ominous — threatening. *Ominous.*
- Augury — reading omens. *Augury.*
- Latin — *omen*. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | omen | An omen. |
| Plural | omens | Omens. |
| Adjective | ominous | Ominous. |
| Related | auspicious | Auspicious. |
| Latin | omen | A sign. |
- A good omen for the trip.Positive.
- Ominous clouds gathered.Negative.
- Augurs read bird flight.History.
Words from Roman divination
- Auspicious — from *auspex*, one who observes birds
- Inaugurate — to install after taking the auguries
- Augur — the official who read the signs
- Contemplate — from *templum*, the marked sky section observed
- Consider — possibly from *sidus*, a star
Latin *omen*, a sign or foreboding, of uncertain earlier origin.
Are omens always bad?
No. The word is neutral and a good omen is ordinary English, though the related ominous has become entirely negative.
What is an augur?
A Roman official who interpreted signs, especially the flight of birds, before public decisions were taken.