portentous

[ pawr-ten-tuhs, pohr- ]

adjective

1. of the nature of a portent; momentous.
2. ominously significant or indicative:

   a portentous defeat.

   Synonyms: unpropitious, threatening, inauspicious

3. marvelous; amazing; prodigious.

portentous

/ pɔːˈtɛntəs /

adjective

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

Derived Forms

• porˈtentousness, noun
• porˈtentously, adverb

Other Words From

• por·tentous·ly adverb
• por·tentous·ness noun
• nonpor·tentous adjective
• nonpor·tentous·ly adverb
• nonpor·tentous·ness noun
• unpor·tentous adjective
• unpor·tentous·ly adverb
• unpor·tentous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of portentous¹

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

Synonym Study

See ominous.

Example Sentences

Now interestingly, while many Norse sources and their modern interpretations represent the Valkyries as noble female spirits imbued with beauty and power, the original Germanic narratives tended to portray them in a more portentous manner.

From Realm of History

Cernunnos is arguably the most visually impressive and rather portentous of ancient Celtic gods.

From Realm of History

As such, there is a portentous quality here that can occasionally get in its own way.

From The Daily Beast

Little moments are portentous of grand sweeping changes, and big, dramatic moments are meaningless to all but the few involved.

From The Daily Beast

These portentous rumblings aside, no coherent position on ectogenesis has emerged so far within the pro-life movement.

From The Daily Beast

Ultimately, though, it is difficult to see the point of this rather portentous book.

From The Daily Beast

Behind these macho moves lie some pretty dramatic and portentous policy decisions.

From The Daily Beast

There was the most portentous picture of a Griffin on the first page, with verses below.

From Project Gutenberg

Ripperda roused himself from his portentous trance, and arrayed his noble figure in the rugged habiliments of the muleteer.

From Project Gutenberg

The Briton, holding the documents in a pudgy hand, looked at the swift-gestured director with portentous solemnity.

From Project Gutenberg

Again my soul trembled with anguish, for that strange portentous word, 'death,' was ever written within me or without.

From Project Gutenberg

The wedding is a portentous affair, lasting all day from early morning, and the bride and bridegroom remain in the house.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• apocalyptic
• haunting
• intriguing
• ominous