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Foreboding: meaning, definitions and examples

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foreboding

 

[ fɔrˈboʊdɪŋ ]

Noun / Adjective
Context #1 | Noun

feeling

A feeling that something bad is going to happen; premonition.

Synonyms

apprehension, dread, ominous

Examples of usage

  • She couldn't shake off the sense of foreboding that had been haunting her all day.
  • The dark clouds overhead gave him a sense of foreboding.
Context #2 | Adjective

atmosphere

Implying or seeming to imply that something bad is going to happen.

Synonyms

ominous, sinister, threatening

Examples of usage

  • The foreboding atmosphere in the old abandoned house sent shivers down her spine.
  • His foreboding words made her uneasy about the future.

Translations

Translations of the word "foreboding" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pressentimento

🇮🇳 अपूर्वाभास

🇩🇪 böses Vorzeichen

🇮🇩 firasat buruk

🇺🇦 передчуття

🇵🇱 przeczucie

🇯🇵 不吉な予感

🇫🇷 présage

🇪🇸 presentimiento

🇹🇷 iç sıkıntısı

🇰🇷 불길한 예감

🇸🇦 شعور سيء

🇨🇿 předtucha

🇸🇰 predtucha

🇨🇳 不祥的预感

🇸🇮 slutnja

🇮🇸 ónotatilfinning

🇰🇿 жаман сезім

🇬🇪 წინათგრძნობა

🇦🇿 pis hiss

🇲🇽 presentimiento

Etymology

The word 'foreboding' originated from the Middle English word 'forboden', which meant 'to announce or foreshow'. It evolved over time to carry the meaning of a sense of impending evil or misfortune. The concept of foreboding has been present in various cultures and folklore, often associated with superstitions and omens. People have long been fascinated by the idea of predicting the future, and the word 'foreboding' captures this sense of anticipation, whether positive or negative.

See also: forebodingly.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,827, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.