Portentous
adjective
Giving a sign or warning that something usually bad or unpleasant is going to happen.
The dark and stormy night seemed portentous of the events to come.
Often appears as...
- portentous sign
- portentous warning
adjective
Trying to seem very important or serious.
His portentous manner during the speech made the audience roll their eyes.
Often appears as...
- portentous pronouncement
- portentous tone
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Relating to or having the characteristics of a god-like or highly important event or person.
The portentous arrival of the king was announced with trumpets.
Often appears as...
- portentous arrival
- portentous event
Usage tips
Approving
Literary
adjective
Giving a sign or warning that something usually bad or unpleasant is going to happen.
The dark and stormy night seemed portentous of the events to come.
Often appears as...
- portentous sign
- portentous warning
adjective
Trying to seem very important or serious.
His portentous manner during the speech made the audience roll their eyes.
Often appears as...
- portentous pronouncement
- portentous tone
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Relating to or having the characteristics of a god-like or highly important event or person.
The portentous arrival of the king was announced with trumpets.
Often appears as...
- portentous arrival
- portentous event
Usage tips
Approving
Literary
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Foreboding Scenes
Use 'portentous' to describe settings or events that hint at impending danger or trouble.
The silence of the battlefield was portentous, hinting at an upcoming attack.
Pro Tip 2/3Imminent Warning
'Portentous' indicates a strong likelihood that something bad will happen, often used in narratives.
She had a portentous feeling as the sky grew dark.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Intuition
Applies to describe a vague, unsettling premonition about future events.
His sudden departure was portentous of troubles within the company.
Pro Tip 1/3Foreboding Scenes
Use 'portentous' to describe settings or events that hint at impending danger or trouble.
The silence of the battlefield was portentous, hinting at an upcoming attack.
Pro Tip 2/3Imminent Warning
'Portentous' indicates a strong likelihood that something bad will happen, often used in narratives.
She had a portentous feeling as the sky grew dark.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Intuition
Applies to describe a vague, unsettling premonition about future events.
His sudden departure was portentous of troubles within the company.
Pro Tip 1/3Foreboding Scenes
Use 'portentous' to describe settings or events that hint at impending danger or trouble.
The silence of the battlefield was portentous, hinting at an upcoming attack.
Pro Tip 2/3Imminent Warning
'Portentous' indicates a strong likelihood that something bad will happen, often used in narratives.
She had a portentous feeling as the sky grew dark.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Intuition
Applies to describe a vague, unsettling premonition about future events.
His sudden departure was portentous of troubles within the company.
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Quote examples
David Miliband
British Politician
What is the big political issue for Britain at the moment? Without wishing to sound portentous, it is about whether we can build a social democratic settlement, whether we can lay the political and cultural foundations for the next several years.
Quote examples
David Miliband
British Politician
What is the big political issue for Britain at the moment? Without wishing to sound portentous, it is about whether we can build a social democratic settlement, whether we can lay the political and cultural foundations for the next several years.
Example 1 of 1
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