Premonition: meaning, definitions and examples

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premonition

[ˌprɛməˈnɪʃ(ə)n ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling

A strong feeling that something is about to happen, especially something unpleasant.

Synonyms

foreboding, intuition, presentiment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
premonition	Premonition is used when someone has a strong feeling that something (usually bad or unpleasant) is going to happen. This is often without any logical reason or evidence. She had a premonition that the trip would go wrong Despite no clear signs, his premonition told him to avoid the meeting
foreboding	Foreboding is often used to describe a sense of impending doom or misfortune. It implies a more significant feeling of fear or anxiety about future events. A sense of foreboding hung over the village as the storm clouds gathered His foreboding was confirmed when the news of the disaster reached him
presentiment	Presentiment is used to describe a vague feeling that something (usually negative) is about to happen. It often lacks the intensity of foreboding or premonition. He couldn't shake off the presentiment that he was being watched Her presentiment was proven right when the unexpected guest arrived
intuition	Intuition refers to the ability to understand or know something immediately without the need for conscious reasoning. It's often used in a positive or neutral context. She followed her intuition and decided not to invest in the stock His intuition told him that something was off about the deal

Examples of usage

I had a premonition that something bad was going to happen.
She couldn't shake the premonition that she was being watched.
The premonition of danger lingered in the air.
His premonition of disaster turned out to be true.
Ignore your premonitions at your own peril.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'praemonitio,' which means 'forewarning' or 'foretelling.'
It emerged in the English language in the early 19th century, blending concepts of vision and warning.

Psychology

People may experience premonitions as a form of intuition, where the brain picks up on subtle clues.
Studies show that emotional states can trigger heightened sensitivity to future events, leading to feelings of premonition.

Pop Culture

Films like 'Final Destination' explore themes of premonitions, where characters foresee their deaths, creating suspense.
Books often incorporate premonitions as a plot device, allowing characters to alter fate based on their foreknowledge.

Literature

In literature, premonitions often serve as foreshadowing, hinting at future events in the storyline.
Classic stories, such as Shakespeare's 'Macbeth,' feature characters receiving ominous predictions that shape their destinies.

Cultural Beliefs

Various cultures hold beliefs in premonitions, viewing them as messages from ancestors or spirits.
Some societies practice rituals aimed at interpreting dreams or feelings as potential forewarnings about the future.

Translations

Translations of the word "premonition" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pressentimento

🇮🇳 पूर्वाभास

🇩🇪 Vorahnung

🇮🇩 firasat

🇺🇦 передчуття

🇵🇱 przeczucie

🇯🇵 予感 (yokan)

🇫🇷 prémonition

🇪🇸 premonición

🇹🇷 önsezi

🇰🇷 예감 (yegam)

🇸🇦 حدس

🇨🇿 předtucha

🇸🇰 predtucha

🇨🇳 预感 (yùgǎn)

🇸🇮 predčutje

🇮🇸 fyrirboði

🇰🇿 алдын ала сезу

🇬🇪 წინათგრძნობა (ts'inatgrznoba)

🇦🇿 öncəgörmə

🇲🇽 premonición

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,087, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
25084 irretrievably
25085 reunite
25086 dammed
25087 premonition
25088 ginseng
25089 steerage
25090 crusading
...