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The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner
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Add 3,700 must-know words to your vocabulary.

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portentous

IPA:

How to pronounce portentous (audio)

Dictionary definition of portentous

Ominous or foreboding, suggesting something bad or significant is about to happen.
"She felt a portentous sense of dread as she prepared for the meeting."

Detailed meaning of portentous

It can also describe something that is grandiose, impressive, or impressive in a way that is intended to be taken as a sign of something greater or more important.

The term is often used to describe things that are perceived as having a greater significance than what is immediately apparent. For example, a portentous sky, a dark and foreboding, may suggest that a storm is coming. Similarly, a portentous statement can be interpreted as a warning or a prophecy.

In literature, portentous can be used to describe a writing style that is overly grandiose or bombastic, and that aims to generate a sense of awe or wonder.

Portentous can also mean someone who is full of their own importance, or who tries to convey the impression that they are more important than they are.

Example sentences containing portentous

1. The dark clouds gathering on the horizon seemed portentous of an impending storm.
2. His portentous warning about the mysterious creature in the woods left us on edge.
3. The eerie silence that fell over the town had a portentous quality, signaling something unusual.
4. The old mansion's portentous appearance gave it an air of mystery and intrigue.
5. The fortune teller's portentous predictions left her clients both fascinated and anxious.
6. The politician's portentous speech hinted at significant changes to come.

History and etymology of portentous

The adjective 'portentous' has its etymological roots in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word 'portentosus,' which comes from 'portentum,' meaning 'omen' or 'sign.' In English, 'portentous' is used to describe something as ominous or foreboding, suggesting that it carries a warning or sign of something bad or significant about to happen. It often conveys a sense of gravity and importance, emphasizing that the event or situation in question holds potentially dire or momentous implications. 'Portentous' can describe both natural phenomena, like dark storm clouds on the horizon, and human actions or utterances that seem to foreshadow significant or troubling developments. It implies a heightened sense of anticipation and a recognition of the weightiness of the situation.

Quiz: Find the meaning of the adjective portentous:

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Further usage examples of portentous

1. The sudden and portentous arrival of the black cat was considered bad luck.
2. The portentous melody of the music foreshadowed a dramatic turn of events in the play.
3. The scientist's portentous discovery held the potential to revolutionize the field.
4. The protagonist's portentous dream set the tone for the events that followed.
5. The ancient manuscript was filled with portentous symbols that were difficult to decipher.
6. The portentous atmosphere in the graveyard added to the sense of foreboding.
7. The thunderous sound of distant drums had a portentous quality, signaling an impending ceremony.
8. The writer used portentous imagery to create a sense of impending doom in the story.
9. The portentous eclipse of the sun had an almost magical effect on the town's residents.
10. The clock's ticking grew more portentous as the deadline approached.
11. The historian uncovered a series of portentous events leading up to the decisive battle.
12. The politician's portentous promises during the campaign raised expectations among voters.
13. The opera singer's portentous voice resonated through the auditorium, captivating the audience.
14. The scientist's discovery of a new element was a portentous achievement in the field of chemistry.

GRE 7 (Graduate Record Examination), Danger and Threat, Fear and Anxiety, Atmosphere and Mood

baleful,dire,eerie,forbidding,foreboding,menacing,momentous,ominous,significant,sinister,threatening

alarming,doomy,fateful,gloomy,inauspicious

ominous, reassuring, auspicious, benign

eb68db_788cb0b49be2439687caad52965a1031.mp3

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