Definition

1. Verb:
   • To show or indicate beforehand; to foretell or predict: The verb "foreshow" means to show, indicate, or announce something before it happens. It often implies a prediction or a sign of a future event.
   • To foretell by divine inspiration: In specific contexts, particularly historical or religious, "foreshow" can mean to predict or reveal something through divine inspiration or prophecy.

Usage and Examples

• Verb:
  • The dark clouds foreshow a coming storm. (The dark clouds indicate a storm will happen soon.)
  • The prophet's words were believed to foreshow great changes for the kingdom. (The prophet's words were believed to predict great changes for the kingdom.)
  • Ancient texts are said to foreshow these events. (It is said that ancient texts predicted these events.)

Advanced Usage

• "To foreshow the future": to act as an omen or sign of what is to come.
  • Many believed the comet foreshowed the future of the empire. (Many believed the comet was an omen for the empire's future.)
• Used in formal, literary, or historical contexts. It is a less common synonym for "foreshadow," "predict," or "portend."

Variants and Related Words

• Foreshadow (verb): To be a warning or indication of a future event. (More common than "foreshow").
  • The early conflicts foreshadowed the coming war.
• Foretell (verb): To predict the future.
  • Can anyone truly foretell what will happen?
• Portend (verb): To serve as a sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen.
  • The strange silence portended danger.

Synonyms

• Predict: To say that an event will happen in the future.
• Forecast: To predict a future event or condition, often after study.
• Presage: To be a sign or warning that something will happen.
• Augur: To predict a future event, often from signs or omens.

Phrasal Verbs

Related Idioms

Verb

1. foretell by divine inspiration