Harbinger vs. Herald — What's the Difference?

A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another

A herald, or a herald of arms, is an officer of arms, ranking between pursuivant and king of arms. The title is commonly applied more broadly to all officers of arms.

One that indicates or foreshadows what is to come; a forerunner.

A person who carries or proclaims important news; a messenger.

To signal the approach of; presage.

One that gives a sign or indication of something to come; a harbinger

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

An official whose specialty is heraldry.

(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.

An official formerly charged with making royal proclamations and bearing messages of state between sovereigns.

(transitive) To announce or precede; to be a harbinger of.

An official who formerly made proclamations and conveyed challenges at a tournament.

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

To proclaim, especially with enthusiasm; announce or acclaim

A forerunner; a precursor; a messenger.

To be a sign of; foreshadow

To usher in; to be a harbinger of.

A messenger, especially one bringing important news.

An indication of the approach of something or someone

A harbinger, giving signs of things to come.

Foreshadow or presage

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

(entomology) A moth of the species Scoliopteryx libatrix.

(advertising) A handbill consisting of an advertisement.

(transitive) To proclaim or announce an event.

To greet something with excitement; to hail.

An officer whose business was to denounce or proclaim war, to challenge to battle, to proclaim peace, and to bear messages from the commander of an army. He was invested with a sacred and inviolable character.

In the Middle Ages, the officer charged with the above duties, and also with the care of genealogies, of the rights and privileges of noble families, and especially of armorial bearings. In modern times, some vestiges of this office remain, especially in England. See Heralds' College (below), and King-at-Arms.

A proclaimer; one who, or that which, publishes or announces; as, the herald of another's fame.

A forerunner; a a precursor; a harbinger.

Any messenger.

To introduce, or give tidings of, as by a herald; to proclaim; to announce; to foretell; to usher in.

(formal) a person who announces important news;

An indication of the approach of something or someone

Foreshadow or presage

Praise vociferously;

Greet enthusiastically or joyfully