augury - Master This Word

augury Word Meanings

• the practice of interpreting omens or signs
• a prediction or prophecy
• foretelling the future through signs

augury Example Sentences

Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.

• The bird's flight was an augury of good luck.
• He believed that dreams were a form of augury.
• The old man read the augury in the clouds.
• Many people look for augury in nature.
• She saw the augury in the way the leaves moved.

augury Word Etymology

(au- + -gury) The term comes from Latin 'augurium', which denotes a divination practice. Picture a Roman priest watching the flight of birds to make predictions about the future, embodying the connection between nature and prophecy.

Real Context

Augury is a somewhat literary or historical term for interpreting signs to predict the future. It is often used to describe ancient or formal methods, such as observing birds' flight or other omens, rather than everyday intuition. In modern usage, people may refer to someone making a wary forecast as offering an augury, though more common words are omen, presage, or forecast. The word emphasizes the act of reading signs with care to infer what might come next. It can appear in discussions of literature, history, or philosophy, where predictions are grounded in signs rather than hard data.

Usage Reminders

• Augury is about reading signs, not guarantees.
• Use with of/for the future (an augury of the coming weather; an augury for the outcome).
• It sounds formal or literary, not for casual talk.
• Prefer omen, presage, or forecast in everyday writing.
• Be wary of over-interpretation; signs can be ambiguous.
• Check collocations: augury of/for, read signs, interpret omens.

Common Misconceptions

• An augury guarantees the future; it does not.
• Augury is the same as a prophecy or a prediction you can trust.
• It only involves birds or weather signs.
• It is a modern technique for forecasting.
• Using augury means you discount data or science.

Thinking Differences

English speakers often view augury as a literary or historical concept, used to discuss the interpretation of signs rather than ordinary forecasting.

Learning Tips

• Memorize the core meaning: interpreting signs to foresee the future.
• Note the formal tone; use in literary or historical contexts.
• Pair with of/for: augury of the future, augury for what may come.
• Choose synonyms (omen, presage, forecast) for everyday writing.
• Be mindful that signs can be ambiguous and not guarantees.
• Read classical texts to see how authors use augury for effect.

5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English

Related Listening

🌱 Lite (Beginner)

🌱 Lite

Phone Call about Noise

Simple Phone Call

2026.01.31 · 0:34 · A2 · Dialogue

Listen Now