foreshow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, Archaic, Formal
Quick answer
What does “foreshow” mean?
To show or indicate beforehand.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To show or indicate beforehand; to foretell, predict, or presage.
To serve as a sign, warning, or omen of a future event.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major difference in definition. The word is equally rare in both dialects.
Connotations
Carries a formal, literary, or historical connotation in both dialects.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in modern usage for both British and American English, primarily found in older texts.
Grammar
How to Use “foreshow” in a Sentence
[NP] foreshowed [NP] (e.g., The omens foreshowed war.)[NP] be foreshown by [NP] (e.g., His fate was foreshown by the prophecy.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “foreshow” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The ancient texts were believed to foreshow the king's downfall.
- Her recurring dream seemed to foreshow a great change in her life.
American English
- The economist's model was used to foreshow the recession.
- Dark clouds on the horizon can foreshow a severe storm.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. 'The market indicators foreshow a downturn.'
Academic
Used in literary criticism, history, or theology. 'The chorus's speech foreshows the tragic ending.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “foreshow”
- Misspelling as 'forshow' or 'fourshow'.
- Using it in place of the more common 'foreshadow' or 'predict' in modern contexts.
- Confusing it with 'forego' (to go before) or 'forgo' (to do without).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are very close synonyms. 'Foreshadow' is more common in modern literary analysis, implying a subtle hint. 'Foreshow' can be more direct and is often found in older texts, suggesting a clearer prediction or omen.
It is not recommended, as it sounds archaic and overly formal. Use 'predict', 'foretell', or 'foreshadow' instead.
The direct noun is 'foreshowing' (an instance of foreshowing). However, 'prediction', 'forewarning', 'portent', or 'omen' are more frequently used nouns for the concept.
In British English: for-SHOW (/fɔːˈʃəʊ/). In American English: for-SHOW (/fɔːrˈʃoʊ/). The stress is always on the second syllable.
To show or indicate beforehand.
Foreshow is usually literary, archaic, formal in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FORE-SHOW. To SHOW something FORE (before) it happens.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING IS SEEING AHEAD (The future is a scene that can be shown in advance).
Practice
Quiz
Which word is a more common, modern synonym for 'foreshow'?