Definitions
- Referring to a person or thing that comes before another and signals its arrival. - Talking about a sign or indication of something to come. - Describing a predecessor or early version of something.
- Referring to a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another. - Talking about a sign or omen of something to come. - Describing a precursor or early warning of something.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to something that signals or announces the approach of something else.
- 2Both words can be used to describe a person, thing, or event.
- 3Both words are often used in a figurative sense rather than a literal one.
What is the difference?
- 1Connotation: Forerunner has a more neutral connotation, while harbinger can have a negative or ominous connotation.
- 2Usage: Forerunner is more commonly used to describe a predecessor or early version of something, while harbinger is more commonly used to describe a sign or omen of something to come.
- 3Association: Forerunner is often associated with progress or advancement, while harbinger is often associated with warning or danger.
- 4Formality: Forerunner is more formal than harbinger, which is often used in literary or poetic contexts.
Remember this!
Forerunner and harbinger are synonyms that both refer to something that signals or announces the approach of something else. However, forerunner is more neutral and often used to describe a predecessor or early version of something, while harbinger can have a negative or ominous connotation and is often used to describe a sign or omen of something to come.