Herald Meaning
/ˈhɛɹəld/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA messenger, especially one bringing important news.
nounA harbinger, giving signs of things to come.
Sentence Examples
It was the lark, the herald of the morn, no nightingale.
Swallows herald the summer.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The first flowers of spring often ____ the arrival of warmer weather.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The blooming of the cherry blossoms is often seen as a ____ of the beginning of spring.
Word Origin & History
From Latin heraldus, from Middle English herald, herauld, heraud, from Anglo-Norman heraud, from Old French heraut, hiraut (modern French héraut), from Frankish *heriwald, from Proto-Germanic *harjawaldaz, a compound consisting of Proto-Indo-European *ker- (“army”) + *h₂welh₁- (“to be strong”). Doublet of Harold and Harald; compare Walter, which has these elements reversed.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"New this season will be a 20-sheet poster depicting 21 K-M elephants parading to local Chevrolet agencies. Deal calls for use of the 20-sheet on poster panels where the auto agency has space allotment. Smaller versions of the same art also will be used.
Circulation of Kelly-Miller heralds, which last season averaged between 5,000 and 6,000 copies per stand, will be in for one of the greatest boosts this year."
— 1951 February 24, Billboard, page 52:
"Then, some five miles north of Bolna, the entry into the Arctic is heralded by a long blast on the whistle of the engine. The Arctic Circle is marked by a sign on the east side of the line."
— 1957 August 26, H. A. Vallance, “By Rail to the Norwegian Arctic”, in Railway Magazine, page 574:
"Our arrival at Worcester is heralded by the appearance of the city's cathedral tower, a solid square structure that's dominated the skyline since the 12th century."
— 2020 December 2, Paul Bigland, “My weirdest and wackiest Rover yet”, in Rail, page 67:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The first flowers of spring often ____ the arrival of warmer weather.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The blooming of the cherry blossoms is often seen as a ____ of the beginning of spring.