Synonyms

portent

American

[pawr-tent, pohr-] / ˈpɔr tɛnt, ˈpoʊr- /

noun

an indication or omen of something about to happen, especially something momentous.

Synonyms:

warning, augury
threatening or disquieting significance.

an occurrence of dire portent.

Synonyms:

import
a prodigy or marvel.

portent British

/ ˈpɔːtɛnt /

noun

a sign or indication of a future event, esp a momentous or calamitous one; omen
momentous or ominous significance

a cry of dire portent
a miraculous occurrence; marvel

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See sign.

Etymology

Origin of portent

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin portentum “sign, token,” noun use of neuter of portentus, past participle of portendere “to signify, presage, portend”; portend

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A key issue is whether Medallia troubles portent greater problems in software lending.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

That usually unremarkable occurrence proved to be a portent for the exhibition.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Disney’s chairman recently revealed that D’Amaro was involved with December’s controversial OpenAI character-licensing deal, a grim portent for his future as entertainment boss.

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2026

He can only hope it is an aberration and not a portent for a grim autumn campaign before his secondment with the British and Irish Lions.

From BBC • Nov. 9, 2024

Maya priests tracked the movements of Venus, which they regarded as a powerful portent.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023