DictionaryAI

harbinger

HAR-bin-jur/ˈhɑɹbɪnd͡ʒəɹ/UKHAH-bin-juh/ˈhɑːbɪndʒə/

Pluralharbingers

Verbharbingers, harbingering, harbingered

3 meanings of harbinger

Practice

  1. 1
    early signnouncountable
    Someone or something that shows that something else is coming soon.

    Dark clouds are often a harbinger of rain.

    The first snowflakes were harbingers of a long winter.

    UsageSay a harbinger of something: a harbinger of spring.

    Similarsign, herald, omen, signal, forewarning

    Note
  2. 2
    verbtransitive
    To show that something is coming, or to come just before it.

    Cold winds harbinger the start of winter in our town.

    Her small win harbingered bigger successes later on.

    Similarherald

  3. 3
    lodging officernounobsolete
    In the past, a person who found rooms for others, especially for a king's court on a journey.

    The queen's harbinger rode ahead to find beds for everyone.

    Before the king arrived, his harbingers went ahead to find rooms for the court.

    Note

Practice

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Origin

At first, a harbinger was a person sent ahead to find places to stay. The word comes from an old French word meaning "to give shelter".

Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

  • The original meaning was a person sent ahead to arrange accommodation. en.wiktionary.org
  • The word ultimately comes through Old French herbergier, meaning to provide shelter or lodging. fr.wiktionary.org