portentous

[ pawr-ten-tuhs, pohr- ]
See synonyms for portentous on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. of the nature of a portent; momentous.

  2. ominously significant or indicative: a portentous defeat.

  1. marvelous; amazing; prodigious.

Origin of portentous

1
From the Latin word portentōsus, dating back to 1530–40. See portent, -ous

synonym study For portentous

1, 2. See ominous.

Other words for portentous

Other words from portentous

  • por·ten·tous·ly, adverb
  • por·ten·tous·ness, noun
  • non·por·ten·tous, adjective
  • non·por·ten·tous·ly, adverb
  • non·por·ten·tous·ness, noun
  • un·por·ten·tous, adjective
  • un·por·ten·tous·ly, adverb
  • un·por·ten·tous·ness, noun

Words that may be confused with portentous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use portentous in a sentence

  • The sullen black of his coloring added to the portentousness of his swift appearance around the clump of pea-green bamboo.

    In the Morning of Time | Charles G. D. Roberts
  • If he gave away her identity at all it would be only by the portentousness of his secrecy.

    The Story of Louie | Oliver Onions
  • In some vague way, they felt the portentousness of his presence among them.

  • "Shut that door, please," he said, and felt the request had just that flavour of portentousness he wished to avoid.

    Soul of a Bishop | H. G. Wells
  • From babyhood she had heard of this night noise, long silenced by the truce, and had trembled at its portentousness.

    When 'Bear Cat' Went Dry | Charles Neville Buck

British Dictionary definitions for portentous

portentous

/ (pɔːˈtɛntəs) /


adjective
  1. of momentous or ominous significance

  2. miraculous, amazing, or awe-inspiring; prodigious

  1. self-important or pompous

Derived forms of portentous

  • portentously, adverb
  • portentousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012