Foreshadow
verb
To show or suggest that something is going to happen in the future, usually something bad.
The economic crisis was foreshadowed by several key indicators.
Often appears as...
- foreshadow a crisis
- foreshadow an event
verb
In literature, to give a hint about what will happen later in the story.
The writer uses foreshadowing to build suspense in the plot.
Often appears as...
- foreshadow an outcome
- foreshadow a plot twist
Usage tips
Literary
verb
To show or suggest that something is going to happen in the future, usually something bad.
The economic crisis was foreshadowed by several key indicators.
Often appears as...
- foreshadow a crisis
- foreshadow an event
verb
In literature, to give a hint about what will happen later in the story.
The writer uses foreshadowing to build suspense in the plot.
Often appears as...
- foreshadow an outcome
- foreshadow a plot twist
Usage tips
Literary
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Bad Omens
Foreshadow often indicates a negative outcome, suggesting caution or alertness in the story.
Dark clouds at noon foreshadowed the devastating storm ahead.
Pro Tip 2/3Event Prediction
It suggests a specific event or outcome is likely, rather than a vague notion.
His sudden coldness foreshadowed a breakup, as she later discovered.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Hints
Foreshadow can be a subtle clue, not always obvious, but significant upon reflection.
The CEO's hesitation foreshadowed the upcoming layoffs.
Pro Tip 1/3Bad Omens
Foreshadow often indicates a negative outcome, suggesting caution or alertness in the story.
Dark clouds at noon foreshadowed the devastating storm ahead.
Pro Tip 2/3Event Prediction
It suggests a specific event or outcome is likely, rather than a vague notion.
His sudden coldness foreshadowed a breakup, as she later discovered.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Hints
Foreshadow can be a subtle clue, not always obvious, but significant upon reflection.
The CEO's hesitation foreshadowed the upcoming layoffs.
Pro Tip 1/3Bad Omens
Foreshadow often indicates a negative outcome, suggesting caution or alertness in the story.
Dark clouds at noon foreshadowed the devastating storm ahead.
Pro Tip 2/3Event Prediction
It suggests a specific event or outcome is likely, rather than a vague notion.
His sudden coldness foreshadowed a breakup, as she later discovered.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Hints
Foreshadow can be a subtle clue, not always obvious, but significant upon reflection.
The CEO's hesitation foreshadowed the upcoming layoffs.
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Video examples
3D printing to bring...
who happens to be a 3d printing robot and all of the objects that are part of the story can be downloaded and printed so here you see the sheep and here's some of the characters and musical instruments some of the things that are in the book foreshadow what's happening
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 11 PIPE...
and there's Connor our drone pilots so one cool cat with his drone watching the elephants and thoroughly enjoying himself now while I race quickly to get to Triple Aim foreshadow let's go back
Video examples
The story of life in...
to bear spores that foreshadowed seeds. Life flourished in swamps.
Video examples
3D printing to bring...
who happens to be a 3d printing robot and all of the objects that are part of the story can be downloaded and printed so here you see the sheep and here's some of the characters and musical instruments some of the things that are in the book foreshadow what's happening
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 11 PIPE...
and there's Connor our drone pilots so one cool cat with his drone watching the elephants and thoroughly enjoying himself now while I race quickly to get to Triple Aim foreshadow let's go back
Video examples
The story of life in...
to bear spores that foreshadowed seeds. Life flourished in swamps.
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Michael Chabon
American Author
I remember tearing up the first time I read Nabokov's description, in 'Speak, Memory,' of his father being tossed on a blanket by cheering muzhiks, with its astonishingly subtle foreshadowing of grief and mourning.
Quote examples
Caroline Ghosn
American Businesswoman
There's this pressure to perform in your twenties - I think it comes from this whole generational foreshadowing that presumes there will be a whole other layer of things to worry about in your thirties.
Quote examples
Janet Fitch
American Author
Use description of landscape to help you establish the emotional tone of the scene. Keep notes of how other authors establish mood and foreshadow events by describing the world around the character.
Quote examples
Orison Swett Marden
American Writer
Whatever you do, don't discourage your dreaming propensity. Your heart's desires are not empty vaporings. They foreshadow possible realities. Man was made to aspire, to look upward.
Quote examples
Robert W. Welch, Jr.
American Businessman
There is no question but that the laws and principles which Solon laid down both foreshadowed and prepared the way for all republics of later ages, including our own.
Quote examples
William Robertson Smith
Scottish Scientist
That the God-man died for his people, and that His death is their life, is an idea which was in some degree foreshadowed by the older mystical sacrifices.
Quote examples
Gail Carriger
American Writer
Most of the names in my books have secondary meaning. Sometimes they foreshadow; sometimes they tell you about the character's origin or back story.
Quote examples
Carol Berg
American Novelist
I never believed I could write anything. No way - write a whole story? Figuring out all that plotting and symbolism? How do you foreshadow things?
Quote examples
Leigh Michaels
American Writer
What keeps readers turning pages is suspense, which you can create using a variety of techniques, including tension, pacing and foreshadowing.
Quote examples
Debbie Allen
American Actress
Michael Ralph brilliantly plays the street prophet, a West Indian who foreshadows the Harlem riot.
Quote examples
Michael Chabon
American Author
I remember tearing up the first time I read Nabokov's description, in 'Speak, Memory,' of his father being tossed on a blanket by cheering muzhiks, with its astonishingly subtle foreshadowing of grief and mourning.
Quote examples
Caroline Ghosn
American Businesswoman
There's this pressure to perform in your twenties - I think it comes from this whole generational foreshadowing that presumes there will be a whole other layer of things to worry about in your thirties.
Quote examples
Janet Fitch
American Author
Use description of landscape to help you establish the emotional tone of the scene. Keep notes of how other authors establish mood and foreshadow events by describing the world around the character.
Quote examples
Orison Swett Marden
American Writer
Whatever you do, don't discourage your dreaming propensity. Your heart's desires are not empty vaporings. They foreshadow possible realities. Man was made to aspire, to look upward.
Quote examples
Robert W. Welch, Jr.
American Businessman
There is no question but that the laws and principles which Solon laid down both foreshadowed and prepared the way for all republics of later ages, including our own.
Quote examples
William Robertson Smith
Scottish Scientist
That the God-man died for his people, and that His death is their life, is an idea which was in some degree foreshadowed by the older mystical sacrifices.
Quote examples
Gail Carriger
American Writer
Most of the names in my books have secondary meaning. Sometimes they foreshadow; sometimes they tell you about the character's origin or back story.
Quote examples
Carol Berg
American Novelist
I never believed I could write anything. No way - write a whole story? Figuring out all that plotting and symbolism? How do you foreshadow things?
Quote examples
Leigh Michaels
American Writer
What keeps readers turning pages is suspense, which you can create using a variety of techniques, including tension, pacing and foreshadowing.
Quote examples
Debbie Allen
American Actress
Michael Ralph brilliantly plays the street prophet, a West Indian who foreshadows the Harlem riot.
Example 1 of 10
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