Foreshadow
Word of the Day
What is Foreshadow?
verb
To give a warning or indication of a future event, especially in literature or storytelling.
Pronunciation
Why This Word?
Chosen on a calm day before major global events (Easter, papal death), when the mood felt like something was about to unfold.
Examples of Use
Here's how this word appears in everyday language:
The author used storm clouds to foreshadow the tragic ending.
Her silence foreshadowed a difficult decision.
The slow piano in the soundtrack foreshadowed the emotional climax.
Word Origins
From Middle English “fore-” (before) + “shadow” (to hint or darken).
Originally used in literature and drama to describe symbolic clues. Now used in film, politics, and personal narratives.
First appearance in English: 1570s
Word Family
Related forms of this word:
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Verb:
The novel foreshadows the character’s downfall.
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Noun:
The movie’s opening scene is filled with foreshadowing.
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Adjective:
The crisis was clearly foreshadowed by early warnings.
Around the World
How this word appears in other languages:
- Spanish: presagiar
- French: annoncer
- Italian: prefigurare
- German: andeuten
- Portuguese: pressagiar
If you Already Know This Word
If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:
Premonition
A strong, often inexplicable feeling that something (usually bad) is going to happen — more emotional than logical.
Omen
A symbolic sign, often natural or mysterious, interpreted as predicting the future. Less about narrative, more mystical.
Augur
A more formal or archaic word that means to predict based on signs; originally from Roman religious practices.
Portend
A literary verb meaning to give a sign or warning that something (especially bad) is likely to happen — similar to “foreshadow” but more ominous.
Fun Facts
- “Foreshadow” is often taught in high school literature as one of the top 5 narrative devices.
- Modern TV shows like Breaking Bad are known for complex visual foreshadowing.
Cultural Usage
- In The Godfather, the orange fruit appears before every major death, a visual motif that foreshadows violence.
- Shakespeare masterfully uses foreshadowing in Macbeth through the witches’ prophecies.
Common Mistakes
Often confused with “predict” — but foreshadowing is suggestive, not explicit.
Micro Story
The flickering lights, the slow wind, the silence — all of it foreshadowed something none of them saw coming.