portentous

[ pawr-ten-tuh s, pohr- ]
/ pɔrˈtɛn təs, poʊr- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR portentous ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of the nature of a portent; momentous.
ominously significant or indicative: a portentous defeat.
marvelous; amazing; prodigious.

Origin of portentous

From the Latin word portentōsus, dating back to 1530–40. See portent, -ous

SYNONYMS FOR portentous

1, 2 See ominous.
2 unpropitious, inauspicious, threatening.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR portentous ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM portentous

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH portentous

portentous pretentious

Words nearby portentous

portcullis, porte, porte-cochere, portend, portent, portentous, porter, porter chair, porter's sign, porter, cole, porterage

Words related to portentous

haunting, apocalyptic, intriguing, ominous, alarming, amazing, astounding, destined, doomed, exhilarating, extraordinary, fated, fateful, ill-boding, ill-fated, impending, important, inauspicious, inspiring, phenomenal

Example sentences from the Web for portentous

British Dictionary definitions for portentous

portentous
/ (pɔːˈtɛntəs) /

adjective

of momentous or ominous significance
miraculous, amazing, or awe-inspiring; prodigious
self-important or pompous

Derived forms of portentous

portentously, adverb portentousness, noun