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Definition of portentous - 2 dictionary results

por⋅ten⋅tous

  [pawr-ten-tuhs, pohr-]
Use portentous in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of the nature of a portent; momentous.
2. ominously significant or indicative: a portentous defeat.
3. marvelous; amazing; prodigious.
Origin:
1530–40; < L portentōsus. See portent, -ous

Related forms:
por⋅ten⋅tous⋅ly, adverb
por⋅ten⋅tous⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1, 2. See ominous. 2. unpropitious, inauspicious, threatening.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To portentous
por·ten·tous   (pôr-těn'təs, pōr-)   
adj.  

  1. Of the nature of or constituting a portent; foreboding: "The present aspect of society is portentous of great change" (Edward Bellamy).

  2. Full of unspecifiable significance; exciting wonder and awe: "Such a portentous and mysterious monster roused all my curiosity" (Herman Melville).

  3. Marked by pompousness; pretentiously weighty.

por·ten'tous·ly adv., por·ten'tous·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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