Ominous Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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ominous

[ˈɒmɪnəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling

giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious.

Synonyms

foreboding, menacing, sinister, threatening.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
ominous	This word is often used to describe signs or atmospheres that suggest something bad will happen. It implies a sense of dread or forewarning. The dark clouds gathering in the distance were ominous. There was an ominous silence in the room after the announcement.
threatening	This word is used to describe something that shows an intent to harm. It can be used for both physical and verbal threats. He received a threatening letter in the mail. The storm looked threatening as it approached the shore.
foreboding	This word is used to describe a strong feeling that something bad is about to happen. It often relates to an intuition or premonition. She felt a sense of foreboding as she walked down the deserted street. The movie's soundtrack created a sense of foreboding.
menacing	This word is used to describe something that looks or sounds threatening. It is often used for direct threats or imminent danger. The stranger's menacing glare made her uneasy. There was a menacing tone in his voice.
sinister	This word is used to describe something evil or harmful. It has a connotation of malevolence. His sinister smile sent chills down her spine. The abandoned house had a sinister look to it.

Examples of usage

The dark clouds were ominous, signaling an approaching storm.
His ominous tone made everyone in the room uneasy.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

appearance

giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening in a way that suggests a dark outcome.

Synonyms

foreboding, menacing, sinister, threatening.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
ominous	Used when something gives a feeling that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen. The dark clouds looked ominous. There was an ominous silence in the room.
threatening	Used when something seems likely to cause harm or danger, often directly or explicitly. The storm clouds looked threatening. He received a threatening letter.
foreboding	Employed to describe a strong inner feeling or notion of a future misfortune, often with a sense of dread. She had a strong sense of foreboding before entering the house. The foreboding atmosphere made everyone uneasy.
menacing	Describes a situation or character that appears threatening or dangerous. The dog's growl was menacing. His menacing stare made her nervous.
sinister	Refers to something that seems evil or harmful, often in a way that is hidden or subtle. There was a sinister figure lurking in the shadows. The movie had a sinister plot.

Examples of usage

The old abandoned house had an ominous atmosphere.
The silence in the forest was broken only by the ominous rustling of leaves.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

In movies, dark music often accompanies scenes with ominous themes, signaling suspense or danger.
Literature frequently employs the term to create tension, paving the way for unexpected twists in the plots.
Many famous songs use this word to convey feelings of anxiety or an impending crisis.

Psychology

The feeling described by this word often triggers a heightened state of alertness, which is a natural response to perceived danger.
People sometimes use this word to describe intuition or gut feelings that something might go wrong.
Research shows that environmental cues, like dark clouds or silence, can enhance feelings associated with this word.

Literature

Classic horror novels often use this word to set a tone of dread, indicating that something fearful is approaching.
It appears in famous poetry to symbolize feelings of impending doom or despair.
Authors employ this word to foreshadow tragic events in their narratives, deepening emotional impact.

Origin of 'ominous'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'ominous,' meaning 'foreboding' or 'threatening'.
It has roots in the Latin word 'omen,' which means a sign or warning of future events.
This word has been used in English since the early 17th century.

The word 'ominous' comes from the Latin word 'ominosus', which means full of foreboding. It has been used in English since the late 16th century to describe something that gives the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen. The word has retained its sense of foreboding and threat throughout history, being commonly used in literature and everyday speech to convey a sense of impending doom or danger.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,322, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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12319 disruptive
12320 annihilation
12321 insuring
12322 ominous
12323 junk
12324 stipulations
12325 breaker
...