Word
foreshadowing
Meanings
a hint or sign in a story that suggests something will happen later
an early indication that something will happen in the future
Definition
Foreshadowing is a hint or clue that suggests what will happen later in a story.
Foreshadowing is a storytelling technique that gives readers a small warning or sign about future events. It can appear in dialogue, descriptions, symbols, or actions. Writers use it to build suspense and make later moments feel prepared rather than random.
Examples
- The broken watch in the first chapter is foreshadowing of his sudden death.
- Her nervous glance at the window felt like foreshadowing.
- The author uses foreshadowing to build tension before the reveal.
- That quiet scene is clever foreshadowing for the final twist.