The difference between Harbinger and Herald

When used as nouns, harbinger means a person or thing that foreshadows or foretells the coming of someone or something, whereas herald means a messenger, especially one bringing important news.

When used as verbs, harbinger means to announce or precede, whereas herald means to proclaim or announce an event.


check bellow for the other definitions of Harbinger and Herald

  1. Harbinger as a noun:

    A person or thing that foreshadows or foretells the coming of someone or something.

  2. Harbinger as a noun (obsolete):

    One who provides lodgings; especially, the officer of the English royal household who formerly preceded the court when travelling, to provide and prepare lodgings.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Fuller"

  1. Harbinger as a verb (transitive):

    To announce or precede; to be a harbinger of.

  1. Herald as a noun:

    A messenger, especially one bringing important news.

    Examples:

    "The herald blew his trumpet and shouted that the King was dead."

  2. Herald as a noun:

    A harbinger, giving signs of things to come.

    Examples:

    "Daffodils are heralds of Spring."

  3. Herald as a noun (heraldry):

    An official whose speciality is heraldry, especially one between the ranks of pursuivant and king-of-arms.

    Examples:

    "Rouge Dragon is a herald at the College of Arms."

  4. Herald as a noun (entomology):

    A moth of the species Scoliopteryx libatrix.

  1. Herald as a verb (transitive):

    To proclaim or announce an event.

    Examples:

    "Daffodils herald the Spring."

  2. Herald as a verb (transitive, usually passive):

    To greet something with excitement; to hail.

    Examples:

    "The film was heralded by critics."

  1. Herald as a noun: