Portent: meaning, definitions and examples

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portent

[ ˈpɔː.tənt ]

^{Context #1}

ominous sign

A portent is a sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen. It is often seen as a forewarning of a future event, usually negative or disastrous.

Synonyms

harbinger, omen, sign

Examples of usage

The dark clouds gathering on the horizon were seen as a portent of the coming storm.
The sudden appearance of a black cat crossing your path is considered a portent of bad luck.

^{Context #2}

premonition

A portent can also refer to a feeling or intuition that something is about to happen, usually something negative. It is a sense of foreboding or apprehension about the future.

Synonyms

foreboding, forewarning, presentiment

Examples of usage

She had a portent that something terrible was going to happen, but she couldn't explain why.

Translations

Translations of the word "portent" in other languages:

🇵🇹 presságio

🇮🇳 अशुभ संकेत

🇩🇪 Omen

🇮🇩 pertanda

🇺🇦 передвістя

🇵🇱 znak

🇯🇵 前兆 (ぜんちょう)

🇫🇷 présage

🇪🇸 presagio

🇹🇷 alamet

🇰🇷 전조 (jeonjo)

🇸🇦 نذير

🇨🇿 znamení

🇸🇰 znamenie

🇨🇳 预兆 (yùzhào)

🇸🇮 znamenje

🇮🇸 fyrirboði

🇰🇿 белгі

🇬🇪 ნიშანი

🇦🇿 əlamət

🇲🇽 presagio

Word origin

The word 'portent' originated from the Latin word 'portentum', meaning 'omen' or 'sign'. It has been used in English since the late 16th century to describe signs or warnings of future events. The concept of portents has been present in various cultures and belief systems throughout history, often associated with superstitions and the supernatural.