Premonition Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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premonition
[ˌprɛməˈnɪʃ(ə)n ]
Definition
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.
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| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
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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.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
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.
Origin of 'premonition'
Main points about word origin
- 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.
The word 'premonition' originated in the mid-16th century from the Latin word 'praemonitio', which means a forewarning. The concept of premonition has been a part of human culture and folklore for centuries, often associated with supernatural or psychic abilities. Throughout history, people have reported experiencing premonitions before significant events, leading to a fascination with the idea of predicting the future.