herald
herald — verb
1. to show that something important — often something positive — is about to begin;
to show that something important — often something positive — is about to begin; or to publicly announce or welcome something as it arrives, often with praise or celebration.
For local farmers, the first green shoots herald the end of the cold winter months.
herald + noun phrase (omen-like subject)
World leaders heralded the 2023 peace agreement as a historic step forward.
be heralded as + noun (passive, praising)
The young scientist's discovery was heralded as a breakthrough in cancer research.
A cool breeze from the ocean heralded the approaching storm.
The mayor heralded the new hospital wing as a victory for the whole community.
- foreshadow
implies something negative or neutral will follow; narrower than 'herald'
- announce
more direct and factual; less poetic and celebratory
- usher in
phrasal verb, more informal, often used for periods or eras
- proclaim
only about public declaration; does not carry the 'sign' meaning
文法句型
herald + noun
be heralded as + noun/adjective
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive structure 'be heralded as [something]' where the object is a positive achievement or development. When used actively, the subject is often a natural sign or event rather than a person.
常見錯誤
herald — noun
1. a sign or event that shows something else — often a change or development — is a
a sign or event that shows something else — often a change or development — is about to happen.
The sudden drop in temperature was a herald of the coming snowstorm.
herald of + noun (omen pattern)
Many investors saw the falling stock prices as a herald of economic trouble ahead.
For the old fisherman, a red sky at dawn was a herald of bad weather.
Blooming cherry trees along the street are a herald of the warmer days to come.
- precursor
more formal and clinical; common in scientific writing
- forerunner
similar scope but emphasises temporal order more than signalling
- omen
often carries a supernatural or superstitious tone — stronger than 'herald'
文法句型
herald of + noun
用法筆記
Typically used with 'of' to introduce what follows. The herald is often a natural phenomenon or early indicator, and what it signals may be positive or negative.
2. in past times, a person whose job was to carry official messages, make public an
in past times, a person whose job was to carry official messages, make public announcements, or deliver news on behalf of a ruler or government.
In medieval times, a herald would announce the king's arrival in the town square.
historical context: herald as town announcer
The herald rode through the village calling out the news of the truce.
A royal herald carried the message of peace between the two warring kingdoms.
When the herald arrived at the castle gates, everyone gathered to hear his news.
- messenger
general modern term; lacks the historical/formality weight
- town crier
specific to English historical context; announces in public streets
- envoy
diplomatic messenger; higher status and more formal
用法筆記
This sense is historical and refers to a specific role in medieval and early modern societies. In modern contexts, 'herald' is only used figuratively (see noun sense 1) or in the names of newspapers (e.g. 'The Herald').