herold: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “herold” mean?
A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of something; an official messenger bringing news.
To be a sign that something is about to happen; to announce or proclaim; to greet enthusiastically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or meaning differences. Slightly more common in British historical/ceremonial contexts.
Connotations
Both varieties share formal/literary connotations. In UK, stronger historical/heraldic association.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties; moderately low in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “herold” in a Sentence
NP herald NP (The report heralded major reforms.)NP be heralded as NP (She was heralded as a genius.)NP herald the arrival of NP (The birds herald the arrival of spring.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “herold” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The first snowdrops herald the end of winter.
- The treaty heralded a period of peace.
American English
- The court decision heralds a shift in policy.
- Tech advances herald a new industrial revolution.
adverb
British English
- The news was heraldingly received.
- He spoke heraldically of the coming age.
American English
- They announced it heraldingly to the press.
- The event was heraldically significant.
adjective
British English
- The heraldic symbols dated to the 15th century.
- A herald trumpet sounded.
American English
- Heraldic devices adorned the shield.
- The herald messenger delivered the scroll.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically for market trends or innovations (The merger heralds a new competitive landscape.)
Academic
In historical/literary studies for messengers or symbolic figures.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; mostly in news/weather contexts (Dark clouds herald a storm.)
Technical
In heraldry (coat of arms design) as a specialist term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “herold”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “herold”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “herold”
- Misspelling as 'herold' or 'harold'.
- Using in overly casual contexts.
- Confusing noun/verb forms (e.g., 'He herald the news' vs. 'He heralded').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It's moderately low frequency, mostly found in formal, literary, or journalistic contexts rather than everyday conversation.
Yes. Noun: 'The herald delivered the message.' Verb: 'These findings herald a breakthrough.'
'Herald' often implies foreshadowing or signaling something significant about to happen, while 'announce' is more general for making something known.
No, the correct spelling is 'herald'. 'Herold' is a common misspelling or a German surname.
A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of something.
Herold is usually formal, literary, journalistic in register.
Herold: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɛrəld/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɛrəld/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Herald of doom (pessimistic predictor)”
- “Sound the herald's trumpet (make an important announcement)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HERALD = HEAR + TOLD → Someone who tells news you hear.
Conceptual Metaphor
MESSENGER IS A HERALD (abstract news conveyed by a personified entity).
Practice
Quiz
Which context is LEAST appropriate for 'herald'?